ADAMS CENTER, NY — Richard W. “Flipper” Axenfeld, 58, Adams Center and formerly of Syracuse, passed away at his home Tuesday afternoon, July 28, 2020.
Flipper was born March 1, 1962, in Syracuse, a son of Maurice and Joan (Sweeney) Axenfeld and was a graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School.
For over thirty years he worked for Brosh Mechanical Inc., Liverpool. Recently he had started his own catering business, “Flipper’s Fine Foods”.
When Flipper was young, he would travel the neighborhood flipping coins, asking “Heads or Tails?”, from then on, he was known as Flipper.
He was an avid downhill skier, enjoyed snowmobiling, riding his Harley, the St. Lawrence River and the Buffalo Bills. He was a passionate chef who immensely enjoyed feeding his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Karen (Craig) Axenfeld, Adams Center; two sons, Ryan and wife Alex, Chittenango and Joseph and wife Krystal, E. Syracuse; three grandchildren, Lilly, Preston and Caiden; former wife Catherine Axenfeld, Manlius; three stepsons, Jason Babel and wife Jessica, Lacona, Andy Babel, Mannsville, and Brian Babel, Adams Center; two step grandsons, James and Jack Babel; three siblings, Robert and wife Laura, Plantation, FL, David, Manlius, and his ‘womb mate’ and twin, Ellen Axenfeld and companion Wendy Vetter, Syracuse; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A private funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Cecilia’s Church, Adams. His family will have a celebration of his life at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.
Online condolences may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 7, E. Syracuse, NY 13057.