How do you possibly tell the story of someone who was so big, reached so many people, and gladly shared a laugh, a wry smile, or a great song with everyone he touched? How do you possibly show the bigness of a person? The kindness. The humor. The love.

Rick Janke, Frederick H. Janke, Jr. passed away at home on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 in the comfort and love of family. He was born February 6th, 1957 in Seneca Falls, NY to Lorraine and Frederick H. Janke, Sr.

He attended FS Barry School where he held the position of Safety Patrol Captain with honor at what the family called 'Janke Corner' just across the street from the family house. He would often tell the story of saving one young boy from, in his words, a horrific accident while on duty.

Rick graduated from Cortland Senior High School in 1975 having been a standout wrestler and baseball player. He was All Southern Tier Athletic Conference in his senior year and voted MVP of the team. At the CHS awards ceremony a previous sport winner said that they couldn't accept the award as it was a team sport, after which the crowd sighed. When Rick got up to accept the MVP award he said "I can't go home tonight if I accept this award. So I guess I won't go home!", and the place erupted. That was his humor. He loved to make others laugh and have a great laugh himself.

It was in High School that the name "Wreckly J. Lamar", and the persona were born. It was game on after that. Upon a dare he was asked to sing with a band at the YMCA and the flood gates of music were opened. He formed 'Wreck 'n Crew' during the early years of punk rock music and found being the lead singer on the stage to be just where he should be. How many times can a person leap from the top of the speaker tower during their shows? He was going to find out and often did. In 1980 his band recorded a 45 with 'Give 'Em a Fight' b/w 'Radioactive Love'. He always had a deep love of music and loved sharing his own brand and tastes with anyone and everyone who would listen. His last band, 'The Wreckly Js' held intimate, loud, rocking, and immensely fun gigs for friends at what was to be called 'The Bunker' in Boynton Beach, FL. He loved playing those gigs with that band, and for his friends.

One of his true loves was cooking for others. He earned his culinary degree from the Baltimore International College. Rick would have friends and family over to the house, cook for them, serve them, all the while telling stories, jokes, and having many, many late-night discussions that may or may not have been fueled by his homemade limoncello that he named "The Truth Serum". Even during the later years when he was unable to swallow due to tongue cancer, he still insisted on cooking for everyone. And it was always fantastic.

Rick was a long-time resident of Delray Beach, Florida, having moved there over 40 years ago. He was active in the local Elks Club. He had worked at and then owned the Sail Inn tavern in Delray. He made many friends there, rooted on his New York Yankees, Syracuse Orange, and the Chicago Bears. Through him, the Sail Inn raised over $300,000 for Hospice which Rick was very happy to donate to.

One of his greatest adventures was to pack things up and head out to see this incredible country in their AirStream 'Lumpy' with his wife Kerri, and travel partners JL and Michelle. They got to see how immense and wonderful this country is. He loved to be able to tell the road stories over a dinner or drinks at their house. He would go on about the beauty found, the people met, the conversations engaged, and all the personalities he had the incredible opportunity to have been a part of.  He traveled all over America, but always loved coming back to Cortland, NY to be with his family and longtime friends.

Rick is survived by his wife, and love of his life, Kerri, whose love and strength he found amazing, and kept him living and alive for years; his brothers Conrad (Helen), Kirby, and Otto (Mary), along with nieces Kinsey, Liza, and nephew Keefe.

He was predeceased by his parents Lorraine S. Janke, and Frederick H. Janke, Sr., and brother Christopher.

A special thank you to his good friends Dave, Mark, and Andy whose friendship meant everything to him. And a THANK YOU to Hospice care in Cortland and Delray.

Per Rick's request there will be no ceremony, but any donations can be made in his name to PorchFest Cortland to help promote more kids playing more music for more people. Make a check to:
Cortland Youth Bureau
35 Port Watson Street
Cortland, NY 13045
For: PorchFest

And Rick found it humbling that so many people gave him access to one simple wish: to be home. Those of you in the community who had a hand in this are deeply thanked, and it is greatly appreciated.