Obituary: Richard Truman Beatty

Richard Truman Beatty, age 88, from Youngstown, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Feb. 12, 2024, in Rochester.

Richard was born Sept. 13, 1935, at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, and then raised in Youngstown. He was the son of the late William and Blanche Garrow Beatty. One of nine children, the stories of growing up and waterskiing up and down the Niagara River in Youngstown were legendary. He joined the Navy at 16 years of age, and proudly served his country from 1952-56. He traveled extensively on the USS Forrestal CVA-59, based in Newport Rhode Island, which took him on tours in the Mediterranean, Europe and North Africa. He was also stationed in Puerto Rico, which he loved the most.

In 1961, he married Barbara Hanoven Beatty. Together, they built a beautiful life raising four children in Rochester, eventually moving to Wilson in 1973. He left corporate life in 1987 and opened the Shanty Restaurant. For the next 16 years, he owned and operated the successful restaurant. It became the place where friends, family, locals and tourists traveled to enjoy the live music and fish fries.

His love of music resulted in the annual Queen’s City Jazz Festival held in his backyard on Lake Ontario. Richard also enjoyed volunteering. His big personality made him a natural fundraiser. After his brother passed away in 2001, Richard focused on marketing and raising money for the Jack Beatty Memorial Regatta. He raised tens of thousands of dollars to benefit Niagara Hospice.

His family and grandchildren remember and loved “Papa” for many reasons: for his infectious smile, sense of humor, and his ability to make friends just by walking into a room. He was loved for time with him at the “campership,” golf cart rides, The Shanty, always joking, lawnmower wagon rides, listening to Frank Sinatra, “STARDUST!”, his Louis Vuitton PJs, his love of Notre Dame football, anything Irish, his love for sports, and always watching and encouraging his grandchildren to participate and do their best. His legacy of love and family, teaching his children, grandchildren, and anyone he met, that the love of family is stronger than life itself.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; by his sisters: Connie Carkeet, Mary Jane Norris, Gloria and Gail; by his brothers: Bob, Jack and Paul, who passed eight days before him and was “his buddy, his pal.”

He is survived by his four children: Aimee Rinere of Rochester, Kimberly (Michael) Leary of Northville (Michigan), Casey Stach of Northville, and Michael (Beth) Beatty of St. Louis; by his grandchildren: Jacob, Abigail, Katherine and Jessica Rinere // Emily (Scott) Riley, Ellen, Megan, Shannon and Kelly Leary // Madeline and Rachael Stach // and Blake, Shawn and Marissa Beatty; by his great-grandchildren: Liam Leary and Carter Feezor; by a sister, Judy Killian of Tonawanda; and by many nieces, nephews and countless friends.

A celebration is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094.