Richard J. "Butch" Wolanski, 76, of New Hartford, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at his home. He was born December 21, 1945, in Utica, the son of the late Joseph and Anne Zyla Wolanski. He was a graduate of Oriskany Falls High School, MVCC and received both his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from The New School for Social Research. In 1969, at St. Mary's Church in New York Mills, he married Donna E. Bochenek. For many years, Butch was a counselor for the New York State Department of Corrections in Marcy. Butch lived life to the fullest and had a great sense of humor. He truly enjoyed the outdoors, especially mushroom picking, gardening, listening to Polka music and going to garage sales. His life revolved around his family and he thoroughly enjoyed catering to his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Donna; a daughter and son-in-law, Tania Wolanski and Richard Summers and their children, Garrett and Grace of Boulder, CO; a son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Lisa Wolanski and their children, Bailey, Jack and Max of Cicero; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Cynthia and Jim Clinch of Vernon Center and Karen and Peter Ernenwein of Canastota; his mother-in-law, Genevieve Bochenek of Yorkville; a sister-in-law and her husband, Jane and Paul Waszkiewicz of Yorkville; a brother-in-law, Joe Bochenek of Trenton, NJ; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and his fishing and hunting buddies, Jeff Joswick and Tommy Gelfuso. Calling hours will be Saturday, May 21 from 4-6 pm at the Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service, Inc., 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford. Services will be private.