Richard Edward Toncray

Richard (Rick) Edward Toncray, 75, departed this earth after a short illness, while surrounded by his family, on June 22, 2024, in Rochester, Minnesota.
Rick was born January 8, 1949, in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, to Richard Horner and Phyllis (O’Mara) Toncray.

Rick’s life was complete in a way few others can claim, yet all who knew him know that his leaving came in God’s own timing, as Rick’s plans were far from finished.
Throughout his life, Rick achieved many great things, fulfilling his own seemingly impossible dreams and inspiring others to do the same. He had an indomitable will, which showed itself at an early age, overcoming lower body paralysis from polio to enjoy water skiing and eventually becoming a professional golfer and PGA professional. When he set his mind to something, he would not stop until it was 100% finished.

Rick began his golf career at 15, working as part of the grounds crew at the local country club. Then, while attending high school at the Howe Military School, he played on the varsity golf team. He graduated in 1967 and continued working at the country club while playing tournament golf. During this time, the head professional invited Rick to join him in business, forming a company to build golf courses in Florida. Rick jumped at the opportunity and moved across the country, where he worked and played professional golf on various golf tours.

Rick met his wife, Pam, on a blind date in Michigan in 1973. They were immediately inseparable, spending 5 days together before Pam returned to school in England. The following month, Rick flew to England and they married two days later, on November 3, 1973. The newlyweds began their life with an epic adventure, backpacking through Great Britain, Western Europe, and North Africa before returning to Florida, where a new adventure awaited them. They welcomed their first child, Richard Robert, in January 1975. Splitting time between Florida and Michigan, Rick worked to acquire his PGA professional card. They eventually made Michigan their permanent home in 1979, purchased Olivet Country Club, and welcomed their second child, Lissa Jean, in August of that same year. They settled in to raise their family and develop the golf course- which they owned and operated for the next 35 years.

Rick’s passion for life and learning expanded; he raced sailboats, learned engine-building, and all that goes along with racing a front-engine dragster. He also owned and raced IMCA modified and Winged Sprint cars, and became a NAUI-certified dive instructor, diving WWII shipwrecks in Micronesia and more locally shipwrecks in the Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean, and the Great Lakes with his son. He also became a private pilot.

He liked to travel and enjoyed Europe for its rich history. When his work schedule limited his travel, family members often brought him back destination t-shirts to taunt him, which became a comical tradition and the source of many jokes.

Even the winter months did not deter his enthusiasm. He enjoyed building, repairing, and sailing ice boats. In 1999, Rick became crew chief for his daughter’s snocross racing program, helping her to obtain multiple world titles. He loved snowmobiling, which had influenced their move to the UP of Michigan, his “favorite place on earth.”
He often wore a t-shirt that read, “he who dies with the most toys wins”- it was a motto he lived by. He loved powersports and owned a variety of snowmobiles and motorcycles. He especially enjoyed riding his motorcycle along with his best friend on their many rides throughout the Midwest. He also grew fond of riding side-by-sides and rode often with his wife, Pam, and their close friends.

Rick was affectionately known as Mr. Fix It. If he wasn’t outside working in the yard, he could be found in the shop. Filled with knowledge, he was the person people went to with questions and for advice, and was his family’s personal search engine. He will be remembered for his genuine concern and his usual first questions, “How are things going?” and “What projects are you working on now?” Being with family, working on a car, a snowmobile, a motorcycle, a boat, an engine or anything mechanical was his favorite thing to do, particularly with his son, son-in-law, and grandsons. He was always there for others wanting help or advice.

Rick was a lifelong learner and an avid reader; hardly a day went by when he didn’t spend a few hours reading with a book or his iPad in his hands. He was determined, some might say stubborn —a trait which served him well and which produced great gains in many areas of his life. That, however, was not perhaps his best trait when playing cards, as he played to win—making card games hilarious, and the family made great fun of his competitive nature.

He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, grateful to share life with his wife, Pam. She was his best friend, matching his zest and enthusiasm for life and family. They pursued life together, working hard, chasing adventure, and taking on whatever life threw at them. Even in the mundane, they worked as a team. He took pride in cooking, doing laundry, and even knew how to sew—which his mother had taught him early. These proved invaluable skills, and he was always ready to help his grandchildren with any project, even crafts and jaw-dropping Halloween costumes!

After their retirement, Rick and Pam spent many hours in their motorhome exploring the country— at times wintering in Florida or making their way wwto spend time with family and friends, wherever that might be. They also logged many miles snowmobiling and riding side-by-sides hosting friends and family from their home in Manistique, Michigan. Rick paid very close attention to the number of miles ridden on every trip, still focused on goals it brought him so much happiness to mark the miles. The challenge is what pushed Rick— that was never more evident than when he would spend hours hitting golf balls at the driving range. He would set challenges for himself at the range which he found more rewarding than a round of golf at the most prestigious course.

Family was Rick’s greatest joy. He truly cherished the time and memories he created with his wife, their children and spouses, their grandchildren and great-grandchild. He was deeply invested in their growth, and well-being, spending much of his time supporting them in their own endeavors, sharing his experience, or just listening, and spending time together. Nothing was more important.

Rick was rich in friendships. He befriended a trusted group of forever friends, and he cherished each of them; Duke, Charlie, Dan, Anthony, Dave, Dan the Governor, and his snowmobile trasher friends, who became part of his family.

Rick loved unconditionally and without demands.

Those remaining to cherish Rick’s memory are his wife of 50 years, Pamela Toncray, children Richard Robert (Lisa) Toncray of Foster, Virginia, and Lissa (Chad) Marsolek of Menomonie, Wisconsin; grandchildren Richard Ryan and Alaina Toncray, Allena Washburn, Cole, Kinsey and Kenna Marsolek, great grandchild Richard Roman Toncray, his brother-in-laws Charles Becker and Robert Young, nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Horner and Phyllis Toncray, his sister, Terry Lee Becker, his uncle Michael O’Mara, and his grandparents.

He was our Iron Man and we will miss him dearly.

We are so honored to have been Rick’s family, and his friends, and we are proud of the enduring legacy he leaves. He was a rare and special person, who brought us joy and love, which made us hopeful, courageous, and strong. While we wish to have him with us, we trust God and know that his story lives on.

Our memories are forever rich because he was ours.

We know that Rick would want the same for all of you, so rather than a donation, please invest time to be with your family, and your friends, making stories that will live forever.

A memorial “gathering/ride” to honor Rick will take place at a later date.