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Richard J. “Dicky” Corwith of Water Mill died April 15. He was 58.
Mr. Corwith was born April 3, 1957, at Southampton Hospital to Richard “Pete” and Marilyn Corwith. He attended Southampton schools and went on to graduate from the State University of New York at Cobleskill, studying agriculture. After graduating from college, Mr. Corwith continued to work alongside his father and family at Corwith Farms, carrying on the farming tradition started by his grandfather, J.C. Corwith. Seven days a week he worked the land that he loved. After a hard day’s work, he returned home to be with his children, of whom he was most proud. Mr. Corwith contributed to building up the farm business to what it is today, survivors said.
His passion for the family farm was passed on to his son Rich, and the two worked the land together just as generations before them had done. Corwith Farms is known for growing potatoes, nursery stock, feed corn, rye, oats, hay and straw.
Mr. Corwith had an enormous passion for the outdoors. If he wasn’t at the farm, you could find him camping, grilling, hunting, horseback riding or relaxing at the bay. He loved classic cars, too, especially his 1973 Camaro that he restored in the barns with help from friends and family. He was a familiar face at Riverhead Raceway and a regular at Dover Downs. He enjoyed traveling as well, particularly to the Florida Keys and Las Vegas.
Mr. Corwith was known as a humble businessman with a tough exterior whose generosity did not go unnoticed. The Kiwanis Club and food banks could always rely on potatoes from Corwith Farms. Survivors said he was notorious for helping those in the farming community, whether out in the fields or fixing broken equipment, and that he was always a reliable source and friend. There was no task too large for him, they said, adding that it was no wonder he often quoted the adage “jack of all trades, master of none.”
An old farmhouse and a dream lured Mr. Corwith into relocating to Calverton with his love, Dawn Karlin, and their dog, Lucy, an Australian shepherd. They had recently finished renovating the house and building horse paddocks. He very much enjoyed taking afternoon rides on his John Deere Gator to visit friends and new neighbors. Living in Calverton reminded him of fond memories of how life used to be in Water Mill, survivors said.
They said he will be fondly remembered for his laugh, vivacious smile, and for his kind and caring nature.
Mr. Corwith was predeceased by his father, “Pete” Corwith, in 1995. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Corwith; children, Richard K. Corwith and Christy Corwith; a son-in-law, Kevin Cole; and his partner, Dawn Karlin. In addition, he is survived by his former spouse, Robin Corwith; a brother, Billy Corwith, and two sisters, Emily Pavelek and Lynn Fraas.
A funeral Mass was held April 21 at the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton. Burial was at Water Mill Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Peconic Land Trust, 296 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY 11968, www.peconiclandtrust.org.
on May 4, 2015