Richard (Dick) was born on November 24th, 1931, in Schenectady, NY. Raised in Oneonta NY, he graduated from Milford High School in 1950. He proudly served in the Navy from 1950-1954 during the Korean War. Proficient in Morse Code, Dick was a radio operator on four naval ships, traveling to Korea, Italy, Spain, Germany, Guam, Greenland, and Cuba during his military service. Following his naval time, Dick graduated from Hartwick College in 1957, receiving a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and later achieving a Masters Degree in Education from SUNY College of New Paltz NY. Dick was married on May 5th, 1956 to Marion Krapowicz in New Canaan CT, eventually settling in Lagrangeville, NY, and raising 3 children. They were married 49 years before her passing in 2005. Dick was an educator for 33 years in Wappingers Falls, New York, retiring in 1995. A popular teacher, he specialized in outdoor education, bringing students beyond the classroom in his yearly education series at the 2,000 acre Sharpe Reservation in Dutchess County, NY. Achieving his masters degree involved a summer long journey with other educators through the lakes and mountains of Canada on foot and by birchbark canoe. Both during and following his retirement, Dick held a NY State realtors license and was an insurance salesman. Dick had a beautiful tenor singing voice and was involved in church choir and a barbershop singing group in Dutchess County NY. In 2002, Dick and Marion moved to Cape May NJ where Richard became active in the Harmonaries barbershop singing group until 2020. Dick was preceded in death by wife Marion in 2005, and daughter, Laurie Kay in 1963. On May 21, 2007, Dick was married to Elizabeth Tomlin of Cape May Court House. They enjoyed 18 years of marriage, traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Russia, Canadian Rockies, Americas National Parks, and many river cruises. Dick is survived by his wife Elizabeth Tomlin Safford of Cape May Court House, sons Richard Safford Jr. of Poconos PA, Michael Safford of Winchester VA, daughter Kathleen Safford Joslin and son-in-law Michael Joslin of Chatham MA, beloved nephew Stephen Sandike of Bluffton SC, grandchildren Allysa Safford of Parlin NJ, Ricky Safford of Cape May Court House, Olivia Joslin Felix of NYC, and Matthew Joslin of Chatham MA, in addition to great grandchildren Emily and Abby Romer, and Jasper Safford. In addition, Dick wished to remember the beloved family of his wife Elizabeth Tomlin Safford: sons Michael (deceased) and Cathy, Clarence (deceased) and Carol, Joseph and Kathy, and Jeffrey and Donna; grandchildren Michael Tomlin (Wesley), Meghan Tomlin, C.J. Tomlin (Lisa), Raymond Tomlin (Allycia), Lori Schulte (Paul), Kelly Lasher (Greg), and Tori Tomlin (Erik); and great grandchildren Collins, Colt, and Reese Tomlin, Adriana and Wyatt Tomlin, Riley and Clare Tomlin, P.J. and Maggie Schulte, and Savannah and Austin Lasher. A Celebration of Life service will take place at Radzieta Funeral Home, 9 Hand Avenue, Cape May Court House on Saturday, October 11th with visitation beginning at 1:30pm and service at 2:00pm, followed by a burial service at Seaside Cemetery in Palermo NJ. Condolences at www.radzieta.com.
