Richard Leonard Staffieri was born in Bethlehem to Edward Anthony Staffieri and Anna Joan Pristus. Richard was baptized on June 12, 1927 at Our Lady of Pompeii, the Italian Church in South Bethlehem, his Godparents were Leo and Beatrice Staffieri.
Richard’s family moved to Hellertown where he attended Wolf School and graduated in 1947 from Hellertown High School. Along with his older brothers Ben and Edward Staffieri, he served our country in World War II. He served in the US Navy from 1945-1946, before returning home to marry Joanne M. Mriglot of Bethlehem at SS Cyril & Methodius on April 23rd, 1949 and had three children.
Richard received a general business degree from Bethlehem Business College, attended Allentown Radio and Television Technical Institute, Penn State University and received his B.S. from Moravian College in 1961. Richard worked for Sarco Manufacturing Company in Allentown, before joining the Bethlehem Steel in 1957 and Weichert Realty in 1989.
Richard received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church. He was an active member at St. Theresa’s and belonged to the Holy Name Society for many years, and volunteered many hours at the annual Church Picnic. Father Check, Msg. Daddy and Father Edward Connelly were more than acquaintances. All three children attended St. Theresa’s School.
Richard was very active in the Hellertown community and was sworn in to his first term on Hellertown Borough Council in 1970. When he retired in 2015 he was the longest serving councilman in Hellertown’s history. While on Council, Richard’s planning and participation in the Hellertown Centennial and erecting the Veteran’s Memorial were among his favorite projects. Richard was a Past President of the Hellertown Lion’s Club, where he enjoyed sharing his homemade spaghetti sauce recipe for the Lion’s annual fundraiser, Hellertown Chamber of Commerce, Community Center and lifetime member of the Hellertown Veterans of Foreign Wars, Saucon Valley Memorial Committee, Hellertown American Legion, Hellertown Water Authority, Dewey Fire Company, Bethlehem Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America and Silver Creek Country Club, and very happy when it was changed back to the Steel Club!
Richard also served on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for 12 years, the Northampton County Housing Authority for 32 years, sixteen as Chairman and the Bethlehem Housing Authority and the Regional Advisory Board for Lehigh/Northampton Counties.
Richard has received local and state awards, proclamations, citations for his dedication and accomplishments over his lifetime of serving his community.
Richard passed away peacefully in his home with his family. He leaves behind his three children Jeffery & wife Linda Staffieri, Gwen Staffieri, Lenore & husband A.G. Pitsilos, granddaughter Summer Joy Pitsilos and companion Lucille Baron of Akron PA.
10:00 am gathering at St Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church
11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church followed by Internment at Union Cemetery
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In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Theresa's Church.