Monday, January 6, 2014
I am greatly saddened to share the news given to me by President Dan this morning
that Dick Oliphant has passed away. He was in Maine, and services will be held there.
A local memorial service will be held and league officials will be sure to share the information when they have it.
Players past and present owe Dick a huge debt of gratitude for the untold number of hours he dedicated to our league:
creation, growth, drafts, scoring, newsletter, statistical compilations; the list is endless. He once told me that
administering the league was one of the things that kept him going.
We will all miss Dick greatly. The Colonie Senior Basketball League won't be the same without him. Pete Sheridan
Oliphant V, Richard CLIFTON PARK
Richard Oliphant V, 82, of Clifton Park died on January 5, 2014, in Portland,
Maine while visiting family for Christmas. Dick was born in Syracuse on March 30, 1931. After serving in the
U.S. Air Force, stationed in Alaska, he received his college education, including several master's degrees at
Albany State University. He began his math teaching career in Wolcott, but most recently retired from the
Ballston Spa school system. Following retirement, Dick also taught at the Junior College of Albany. In later
years, Dick's love of basketball was a major part of his life. He was director of operations and a board member
of the Colonie Senior Basketball League and also wrote their weekly newspaper, "The Hoopster." Dick was a past
volunteer for Care Links, Saratoga County, and loved driving folks to medical appointments and was always eager
to help anyone in need. He was a member of the Burnt Hills Baptist Church and served on the stewardship sector.
Predeceased by his sister Lorie and brother-in-law Roy Van Arsdale. He is survived by his wife, who loved him
dearly, Gail Leggett Oliphant; his sons, Rick (Tara), Jefferson (Stella), and Trenton (Stephanie); grandchildren,
Ian, Colin and Natasha; his brother, Pastor Jack (Violet) Oliphant; his sister, Mildred White; his brother-in law,
John (Kathy) Leggett and sister-in-law Marion Leggett. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and so many friends. A
memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church, Ballston Spa at
12:30 p.m. Friends may visit with the family there from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions
to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758541, Topeka, KS, 66675 or the Luke's Wings.org (for address)
organization would be appreciated.
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