In Memoriam: Stamford Firefighter Richard Saunders

Veteran Stamford Firefighter Richard Saunders passed away Saturday morning of complications from a job-related cancer. He was 52.

Born Feb. 5, 1963 in Stamford he was the son of the late Lester and Esperanza Saunders.

He was a graduate of Stamford public schools.

Mr. Saunders began his career with the Stamford Fire Department in 1985 and rose up the ranks during a distinguished career that involved many memorable moments and commendations. During his first year, Saunders, along with the rest of his crew conducted a dramatic rescue of a man trapped under an oil tanker truck. On another occasion, Saunders joined up with another crew to rescue a man and two children from a structural fire.

In 2000, he became a Hazardous Materials Technician and for the past eight years, he was the assigned driver of Truck 2, serving the residents of the South End of Stamford. Saunders was a certified Firefighter 1 and 2, as well as a Medical Response Technician.

“For 30 years, Rick has been a valued colleague, a key part of the community and a friend to all he worked with,” said SPFFA President Brendan Keatley. “He will be sorely missed both within the department and in the larger community. On behalf of all Stamford firefighters, my thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

He was also a mechanic and was a MOPAR enthusiast. Rick rebuilt several Chrysler cars including a Dodge Dart, Plymouth Duster, a Barracuda and a Road Runner and Plymouth Fury. He enjoyed drag racing with the cars that he rebuilt.

He is survived by his wife Cathy, two step-children, Michael Cioe of Marlborough and Kelly Cioe of East Hampton; two sisters Hope Elliot of Florida, Jacqueline Burkett of Connecticut, and several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Spencer Funeral Home, 112 Main St., East Hampton, Connecticut. The funeral service will be held on Friday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Spencer Funeral Home, internment will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sandy Peszynski Breast Cancer Fund, 93 East High Street, East Hampton, CT 06424.

Condolences for the family and colleagues can be sent to IAFF Local 768, 629 Main Street, Stamford, CT 06901.

Photo credit: Stamford Fire Department.