Richard Ayers Obituary

Ayers, Richard F. "Dick"

Nov 10, 1948 - Jan 13, 2026

Age 77; beloved husband of Deborah (nee Parkins) Ayers; father of the late Megan (Frank) Brewster; brother of Dean, Mark, and Jeffrey (Debbie); loving son of the late Elmer and Ruth (nee Wittmer) Ayers; also survived by many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Dick was born in Buffalo and grew up in the area. As a youth, he was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy at Aloysius Church in Cheektowaga. Dick devoted his life to becoming a respected leader professionally and in his community. After graduating from Kettering University (General Motors Institute) in Flint. Mich., in 1971, Dick returned to Lockport, where he built a highly successful 34-year career with General Motors, Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems and Delphi Packard Electric Systems in Warren, OH. He furthered his education by earning his MBA at SUNY Buffalo. Professionally, Dick excelled by bringing together his deep understanding of science and engineering with his passion for business and people. During his career, he travelled the world, working in international business development, marketing and sales. He loved helping customers and generating new sales to support jobs back home. Dick had a big personality and was very persuasive. His peers at GM and Delphi liked to joke that he could sell refrigerators to Eskimos. From an early age, Dick was known by his friends and colleagues as a passionate intellectual – he was keenly smart, he never stopped learning about new things, and he always enjoyed a friendly debate on any issue. At Kettering, his fraternity brothers at Delta Tau Delta would say that Dick was always comfortable in any crowd, and often the first to engage with strangers. Within his community, he valued helping others and placed a special emphasis on mentoring young people. And at home, he loved music and found great peace in being outdoors, especially during hunting season. Above all else, Dick was a man of strong convictions. He loved God and his country. He dearly loved and adored his wife of 30 years, Deborah. A celebration of Life will be held later this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Buffalo City Mission at https://www.buffalocitymission.org, Canisius High School at https://www.canisiushigh.org/support/gift, Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/, or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC. Share condolences at www.AMIGONE.com