"Rick you was a great guy and will be missed by everyone. It was a true honor to have played against you and ended my career playing with you. I will forever cherish those memories of my life. It was hard to see you and your family going through this cancer journey and all the Guthrie family could do is pray. I truly hope you are not in pain anymore and you might?ve lost your battle with cancer but your legacy and name will go on forever. Love you Brother until we meet again ??????????????????????????????"
In loving memory of
Richard A. Schiffhauer
January 9, 1963 - August 1, 2023
With his wife Karen by his side, local business owner Richard Schiffhauer passed away on August 1, 2023 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 60 years old.
Rick was born in Rochester to Angela and Robert Schiffhauer, and grew up in the city's 10th Ward. This community, along with his close-knit family and large circle of friends, help mold Rick into a man of integrity, action, and faith. An athletic young man, Rick excelled at football, lacrosse, and softball; his love of sports was a life-long passion. Even as a young man, Rick showed a flair for entrepreneurship, owning his first business (a corner store and deli) in his early twenties. After attending John Marshall High School, Rick went on to study at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Rick owned several local businesses, including being the president and co-owner of the Rochester Athletic Club, which he ran with his brothers and other partners. In 2002, he met and became friends with Karen Larzelere. At that time, he had no idea that she would become the love of his life. Six years later they began dating and eventually married.
By 2012, Rick began to dream of owning a business devoted to softball and baseball. He went on to open Smash It Sports, which sells softball and baseball bats, sport apparel, and other athletic equipment. Originally, he ran this business from Karen and Rick's basement, but it grew exponentially; today Smash It Sports has retail representatives all over the country.
Rick's greatest happiness came from spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, whom he adored. He loved football Sundays with his family, travelling with his sons and friends to Big East tournaments, and visits to the Saratoga Racetrack. Rick coached his daughters' softball teams and was their greatest fan, showing up to their games even when he was fighting cancer. He volunteered as a coach for the Greece Little League, and loved to share his love of softball and baseball with young players. Inspired by his daughters' love of softball, Rick created a women's fast pitch softball league, and was a dedicated supporter of women's softball.
Friends describe Rick as an optimistic, outgoing, determined man. Those qualities were put to the test when Rick was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in 2020. Refusing to accept defeat, Rick and his wife became dedicated fundraisers on behalf of the Seena Magowitz Foundation; Rick also shared his cancer journey publically in interviews, determined to pass along his message of hope to other cancer patients and their families.
Rick Schiffhauer was predeceased by his parents, Angela and Robert. He leaves behind his devoted wife Karen Schiffhauer; his children Matt (Alyssa), Erin, Rickie, Riley, and Kendall Schiffhauer; and his grandchildren MacKenzie, Ethan, and James. Rick is survived by his brothers Robert (Guyanne) and John (Susan) Schiffhauer, and his uncles Richard (Mary) Cicotta, John (Dotty) Cicotta, and Jerry (Susan) Schiffhauer. He was a loving uncle to Marc Mancini; Lindsey, Robert, and Taylor Schiffhauer; Jennifer (James) Peterson; and Jane (Tony) Scarlota. Rick was an affectionate son-in-law to Kathleen Larzelere and brother-in-law to Michael and Robert (Mary) Larzelere. Rick also leaves behind a huge circle of friends.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 10th from 3-7 pm at Bartolomeo and Perotto Funeral Home, located at 1411 Vintage Lane, Rochester, NY 14626. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4492 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612. Mass will begin at 10:30 am.
Donations in Rick's memory may be made to the Wilmot Cancer Center at https://tinyurl.com/mv57pk6b or the Seena Magowitz Foundation at https://tinyurl.com/2p8n9uxw
Tributes
"My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time. We grew up in a time when everyone in the neighborhood were friends. We played baseball with our parents in the empty field on Bennington Dr, touch/tackle football in the glass factory front yard. Four square and kick ball on Studley street, basketball in the Schiffhauer?s driveway snd soccer in our front yard. Played hide and seek in the neighborhood. The neighborhood was our family. Many of us grew up went to college snd moved away, but those times were precious and still memorable today. Rick was much too young to leave us but may he rest in peace. Your memories will live on. Heidi (Muerb) Hess"
"I don't even know where to begin. What an amazing human being. I have known Rick for many years. Kept score many years for him at softball games in the 90's. He was always full of life and was there for everyone. 3 years ago when I was in need a friend and support he was there for me. Even though he was going through his own health issues and battling Cancer, he was always thinking of others. I can never thank him enough for all the kind and supportive words he had for me during my difficult time. He would reach out with a kind message asking how things were and if there was anything he could do just ask. Always putting others before himself. Thank you Rick! for your friendship, your caring nature and for just being you. I will never forget all you did for me. I am truly blessed to have been lucky enough to have you a friend. Rest in Peace my Friend. May God Bless watch over your Family. Jenean Wise"
"I am really sad to hear this and my condolences to Rick's family. I met Rick in HS and will always remember him as a larger than life dude who commanded every room he entered. He could be a rough and tumble guy when needed but fiercely loyal to friends and family and a big hearted soul always willing to help. I watched my mother pass from pancreatic cancer after 5 months and him fighting it for 3 years is a testament to who Rick was. I will also carry the nickname Rick gave me a decade or so ago, Joe "The Gay Gardener" Cavallaro, lol."