Richard (Dick) Corringham Richards, age 86, of Dunedin, FL, Plainview, NY and Alexander, ME, died peacefully on June 17, 2013 in Wilmington, North Carolina where he was staying with his daughter and son-in-law.

He graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens, NY and then served in the Navy during WWII.  After the war he joined the Port Authority if NY and NJ.  He graduated from their academy in 1949.  He was first assigned to the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels for traffic and patrol duty. 

In 1953, Dick received specialized training in crash, fire and rescue and was reassigned to LaGuardia airport.  He was promoted to sergeant in 1956 and assigned to the Holland Tunnel as a patrol supervisor.  In 1960, he was assigned to Kennedy Airport as a crew chief in crash, fire and rescue.  Dick was promoted to lieutenant in 1971.  In 1973, he was reassigned to JFK airport with the rank of “Tour Commander” a position he maintained until his retirement in 1987 after serving for 37 years.

 Dick was awarded the Police Commendation Medal for his and his crew’s action for saving 13 passengers in the crash if a Dehaviland Dove.  He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for disarming and capturing an armed bank robber. 

He and his wife Joan built a summer home Maine and spent many happy years being snowbirds between Maine and Florida. They were married for 61 years.  Joan predeceased Dick in August of 2012.

Richard is survived by his daughter and son in law, Jeanne and Cornelius Murray of Wallace, NC, and Alexander ME, his son, Dana Richards of Plainview, NY.  Dick has 3 married grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Richard’s memorial service will be held in Maine in August when all the family can gather together to celebrate his life.

Donations in Dick’s memory can be sent to:
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 29 Church St., Calais ME 04619