Obituary of Richard A. Platis

Richard Alan Platis, 44, of Rome passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. He was born in Rome, New York, on October 30, 1976, the youngest of four siblings, to John & Lorraine Schmidt Platis who predeceased him. He was a 1994 Graduate of Rome Free Academy and a 1998 Graduate of SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. In 2015 he graduated SUNY Poly with a Master’s of Business Administration. Rick married the love of his life, Danielle Hoy Platis, in 2002 at St Paul’s Catholic Church in Rome, New York. He was previously employed with Catholic Charities where he oversaw youth programs including Camp Nazareth where he loved to play on the high ropes course. He began his career in healthcare at Rome Hospital & Foundation overseeing comprehensive grants management, policy administration, emergency preparedness program and hospital/provider HER reimbursement and meaningful use. For the past 8 years, Rick worked at Upstate Medical University for the Faculty Practice Plan working up to the position of Director of Operations and Quality Programs. Rick led the effort to achieve success in the various governmental and insurance quality programs, bringing in millions of dollars over the years which help to ensure retention and recruitment for Upstate’s faculty physicians and providers. Rick was the key person in organizing and executing the Upstate multispecialty practice at Township 5 in Camillus and the establishment and growth of a new Family Medicine practice. He then worked diligently on Upstate’s Cancer Center at Verona project, which is to open late 2022/early 2023. Rick was very active in the community and youth sports. He was Vice President of the Valentine Girls Basketball League while coaching teams from 3rd-12th grade for past 10 years. In addition, he was a former coach and past president of the Rome Lady Rebels Girls AAU Basketball organization as well as a coach and treasurer for the Rome Girls Softball League and Rome Spirit Softball. He was also a former board member of the Oneida County Office of the Aging CEWC and Utica Safe Schools. Rick had a lifelong love of music, especially playing trumpet and guitar, which he shared with his children. He was also a member of the Road Crew for the RFA Marching Band. He was active in his church as a previous catechist, past council member, current member of the finance committee and chair of the budget committee. He became a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus while living in Denver, Colorado. Rick is survived by his wife Danielle; daughters Alexa and Caitlin; sister Pamela (Paul) Greenberg of Brunswick, New York; brothers John (Michele) Platis of Mansfield, Texas, and Stephen (Michele) Platis of Albuquerque, New Mexico; niece, Abigail Greenberg; mother-in-law Margie (Bob) Lauro and sister-in law Lorraine Hoy; Uncle Gary (Sue) Schmidt; godsons Tyler Badger and TJ Glover; many cousins; and friends whom he considered family. Family and friends may call at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N George St, Rome, on Sunday, October 3rd from 2-5:00 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, October 4th at 11:00 a.m. at St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 1807 Bedford St, Rome, with burial immediately following at St Mary’s Cemetery, Rome, New York. At the request of Rick’s family, if you plan attending services please where a mask while indoors.