Richard A. Coffaro, 65, Firefighter 1st Class, City of New York, Ladder Company # 126 and Engine Company # 303, of Dover, FL “Celebration of Life Service” service is 11:00AM, Saturday Morning, May 22, 2010 at Southern Funeral Care, 10510 Riverview Drive, Riverview, FL 33569 with Chaplin Jim Brady and the Hillsborough County Fire Department Honor Guard, to officiate. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until service time.
A native of Manhattan, NY and a local resident since 1999, when he moved here from Long Island, NY, he retired from the City of New York Fire Department having served most of his career with Engine Company #303 and Ladder Company # 126. Later in his career, he served with Ladder Company # 173. He was of the Catholic Faith and before joining the City of New York Fire Department, Richard worked on the computers for the US Navy A-6 “Intruder” aircraft built by Grumman Aircraft Company. Richard belonged to the Columbian Club in New York and when he worked his shift at the fire department, the last four years of his career, Richard was the “Tiller Man” on the hook and ladder Company # 173.
After retiring to Florida, Richard was the best friend a neighbor could have. If something needed to be fixed, he knew how to fix it. He had the right tools to do the work. He refused taking anything for doing the work for you. He was the “Go to Man” of the neighborhood and he loved to barbeque and especially to bake you a cake on your birthday. Richard always had a kind word for you and never spoke ill of anyone.
Richard is survived by his wife, Bonijune “Bonnie” Coffaro of Dover, FL; his mother, Anne Coffaro of Tampa, FL; a brother, James “Jimmy” Coffaro of St. Petersburg, FL and his life long companion, Armando Tundidor; three sisters: Rosemary Cygan and her husband, Bobby of Dover, FL; Joanne Helms of East Moriches, NY and Barbara Timm and her husband, Bob of Blue Point, NY; his aunts and uncles; Rose Krozer of Hicksville, NY, Pat Ancona and her husband, AL of Wanthagh, NY and Charles Baack of Holbrook, NY; numerous nieces and nephews; Christina Biesty and her husband, Patrick, Diana Cygan, Bobby Cygan and his wife, Heather, Lisa Gold and her husband, Brad, Susan Helms, Thomas Helms, Veronica Timm and great nieces and nephews; Derek, Austin, Emma, Michael and Braedon and a host of cousins.
The family requests, that all floral arrangements should be potted plants or dish gardens. Please send them directly to the funeral home. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, then please make a donation to Melech Hospice House, 11125 North 52nd Street, Temple Terrace, FL 33617 in the memory of Richard A. Coffaro.
Veterans Funeral Care
1-800-467-7850
727-524-9202
Richie was a wonderful man…an incredible neighbor…he will be missed.
Richie was a very nice man & fantastic neighbor. Ready always to and to give good advice. We will miss seeing him puttering in his yard.
Richie was our friend and our neighbor, we will miss him very much, he would never deny help with anything and was always up for good conversation.Our thoughts and prayers are with you Bonnie.
My “Big Brother” Richie, was the rock that I leaned on when I was a kid and even though busy with our own adult lives he remained the rock that we all could lean on, and often did. He never imposed himself into anyone’s lives but he was always right there in the shadows waiting to lend a helping hand when asked.
He was a humble, quiet man with not a mean bone in his body. I can not remember him ever raising his voice in anger. When others would express indignation or disapproval of someone or some thing, he would be the mollifying voice of reason.
It was his dream to retire to Florida and I’m happy that he realized that dream even though it was so unexpectedly cut short. He brought us strenght in times of trouble, wisdom in times of strife and sharing in times of happiness. He will be greatly missed.
It never would have crossed my mind that when I saw Richard at my own brother’s memorial, that he would be gone only a year later. Richard was my Godfather and although I didn’t get to see him often, he always had a smile and hug for me. Love and prayers to Bonnie, Aunt Ann and all our Coffaro cousins.
Kerrie, Bill and the Kids
It never would have crossed my mind that when I saw Richard at my own brother’s memorial, that he would be gone only a year later. Richard was my Godfather and although I didn’t get to see him often, he always had a smile and hug for me. Love and prayers to Bonnie, Aunt Ann and all our Coffaro cousins.
Kerrie, Bill and the Kids
I had the pleasure of meeting Richard through my beloved friends Bobby & Rosemary Cygan. Unfortunately I had only know Richard a few short years but he made me feel like a life long friend when I came to visit. I had the honor of Richard and Bonnie helping celebrate my birthday at their beautiful home, their extremely gracious hospitality made me feel like I was at home with my family. To me, he was a gentle giant, a hero, a man who loves his wife, embraced life and made this earth a better place. I’ll miss my friend but thank God for giving him to us.
Richie became my Uncle through marriage to his niece, Christina. I came to know Richie as a polite, gentle, and humble man. I have had the pleasure of sharing many wonderful occasions with Richie and his beloved wife Bonnie. What I will carry of Richie through my life was his love of his family and his warm hospitality. My last time spent with Uncle Richie was celebrating my son Austin’s 2nd birthday. Once Richie showed Austin his “Fireman Mailbox”, he had a friend for life. Rest peacefully Richie. A more decent man I’m not sure I’ll meet.
I had the pleasure of metting richi five years ago to me he was a gentle beautiful man my thougts and prayers go to bonny and the familly.
Richie was a good guy, a good neighbor and gracious host. He will be missed by all that knew him. Rest in peace my friend.
I am honored to have known Richie as a friend and confidant these past ten short years.
Richie was a kind and gentle man; a loving husband, son, brother, and friend. He is deeply missed!
I am honored to have known Richie as a friend and confidant these past ten short years.
Richie was a kind and gentle man; a loving husband, son, brother, and friend. He is deeply missed!
I am honored to have known Richie as a friend and confidant these past ten short years.
Richie was a kind and gentle man; a loving husband, son, brother, and friend. He is deeply missed!
Captain my Captain
Asked for help but didn’t get it.
Instead got the job done.
Saw the garage light on at midnight and knocked to see if he had a tool to shut off the water. Are you kidding?
of coarse he did. Then the day of the fire. he came hustling. across the street with a shovel in hand a took charge.
so much more to say but ill use up all the pages.
So Captain will i miss you? I already do
Sandy.
Captain my Captain
Asked for help but didn’t get it.
Instead got the job done.
Saw the garage light on at midnight and knocked to see if he had a tool to shut off the water. Are you kidding?
of coarse he did. Then the day of the fire. he came hustling. across the street with a shovel in hand a took charge.
so much more to say but ill use up all the pages.
So Captain will i miss you? I already do
Sandy.
Captain my Captain
Asked for help but didn’t get it.
Instead got the job done.
Saw the garage light on at midnight and knocked to see if he had a tool to shut off the water. Are you kidding?
of coarse he did. Then the day of the fire. he came hustling. across the street with a shovel in hand a took charge.
so much more to say but ill use up all the pages.
So Captain will i miss you? I already do
Sandy.
Captain my Captain
Asked for help but didn’t get it.
Instead got the job done.
Saw the garage light on at midnight and knocked to see if he had a tool to shut off the water. Are you kidding?
of coarse he did. Then the day of the fire. he came hustling. across the street with a shovel in hand a took charge.
so much more to say but ill use up all the pages.
So Captain will i miss you? I already do
Sandy.
I think this quote pretty much sums it up as to the kind of man and friend Ritchie was.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this , that he lay down his life for his friends”
God Bless you Ritchie and don’t worry “We will hold down the fort ”
Love and Blessings
Rose Stolarcek
and
Family
Ecclesiastes 12:6 (New International Version)
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
or the golden bowl is broken;
Hear the voices of our souls, This is the world of Illusion!
Hear the voices of our souls, This is the world of Illusion!
This is a mantra that the Monks and Lamas of Tibet use during a passage ceremony to help the departed soul release from the bounds of the vibration we call earth.
We are here today the celebrate the life, of the soul, we knew as Richie.
It has been my good fortune to know and interact with 2 men of great charterer in my life. Both are brothers of mine. My older brother Paul and Richie.
At the age of 18 with the passing of his father Anthony, Richie assumed the responsibility of a father figure to his younger siblings. Rosemary, Joanne, Barbara and Jimmy. Along with his Mom Ann, provided a loving and stable home. At 18 many young men would have beat feet, had up, split the scene. But, that was not Richie. Always the first to lend a helping hand and always eager to teach you what he knew. That was Richie.
Not until after his sister Joanne had married did he embark on his own life’s journey with his Love Bonijune.
In my opinion, his one charterer flaw was his reluctance to let people reciprocate for his generosity.
As you can Imagine, being the original outlaw, in the Coffaro family, when I had captured his little sister Rosemary’s heart he was less than enamored with me.
Of course, I understood his concern, after all, I was a long haired dope smoking Viet Nam Combat Veteran. What could go wrong here?
In my defense, I was game fully employed for a whole year.
So to say, Richie and I had a rocky start would be kind.
42 years later, I must say, that, I loved this man as much, if not more, than any of my other six brothers. He was a good decent generous man who took his sense of commitment from caring for his family to the community, as a fire fighter for the City of New York for 22 years.
I know that I have lost a brother, friend, and my go to guy. I will miss him!
Yet, I am Joyful, knowing that the soul we all knew and loved as Richie is now back in the greater reality.
Here the voices of our souls, This is the world of Illusion!
Ecclesiastes 12:6 (New International Version)
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
or the golden bowl is broken;
Hear the voices of our souls, This is the world of Illusion!
Hear the voices of our souls, This is the world of Illusion!
This is a mantra that the Monks and Lamas of Tibet use during a passage ceremony to help the departed soul release from the bounds of the vibration we call earth.
We are here today the celebrate the life, of the soul, we knew as Richie.
It has been my good fortune to know and interact with 2 men of great charterer in my life. Both are brothers of mine. My older brother Paul and Richie.
At the age of 18 with the passing of his father Anthony, Richie assumed the responsibility of a father figure to his younger siblings. Rosemary, Joanne, Barbara and Jimmy. Along with his Mom Ann, provided a loving and stable home. At 18 many young men would have beat feet, had up, split the scene. But, that was not Richie. Always the first to lend a helping hand and always eager to teach you what he knew. That was Richie.
Not until after his sister Joanne had married did he embark on his own life’s journey with his Love Bonijune.
In my opinion, his one charterer flaw was his reluctance to let people reciprocate for his generosity.
As you can Imagine, being the original outlaw, in the Coffaro family, when I had captured his little sister Rosemary’s heart he was less than enamored with me.
Of course, I understood his concern, after all, I was a long haired dope smoking Viet Nam Combat Veteran. What could go wrong here?
In my defense, I was game fully employed for a whole year.
So to say, Richie and I had a rocky start would be kind.
42 years later, I must say, that, I loved this man as much, if not more, than any of my other six brothers. He was a good decent generous man who took his sense of commitment from caring for his family to the community, as a fire fighter for the City of New York for 22 years.
I know that I have lost a brother, friend, and my go to guy. I will miss him!
Yet, I am Joyful, knowing that the soul we all knew and loved as Richie is now back in the greater reality.
Here the voices of our souls, This is the world of Illusion!
To my beloved brother Richard,
As a child you walked before me,
To lead by example.
As a teenager you walked behind me,
Looking out for my back
and being there when I
needed you.
As an adult you walked beside me
So that,as two friends,
We could enjoy life together.
I miss you my brother, my friend,my fishing partner,and
all your creative talent and
knowledge! I’ll Love You Forever-Your Sister Rosemary
To my beloved brother Richard,
As a child you walked before me,
To lead by example.
As a teenager you walked behind me,
Looking out for my back
and being there when I
needed you.
As an adult you walked beside me
So that,as two friends,
We could enjoy life together.
I miss you my brother, my friend,my fishing partner,and
all your creative talent and
knowledge! I’ll Love You Forever-Your Sister Rosemary
Dear Husband love of my life to day is the last day of the year of 2010. I have gotten my last card from you on christmas day. I will cherish it for ever. You will always be with me and I did get your message from your card and I will keep my love for you alive and you will live life with me always, are hearts will be togeather for ever and ever and I will try to move on like you want me to.I know you will always be by my side I will never love any one
as much as I do you I will long for you for ever. Love your Bonnie