Richard Dunford

Richard J. Dunford, age 82, of Erie, Pa died on Tuesday, December 5, 2017  in Avon Lake, Ohio following a brief illness.  He was born in Wesleyville, PA on April 4, 1935 to the late Robert and Norma (Volrath) Dunford.  He graduated from Wesleyville High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Gannon College in 1957, obtained his Masters in Mathematics from Syracuse University in 1963, and pursued a doctorate degree in Counselor Education at Indiana University in 1968.

Richard was a math teacher at Newfane Central school from 1958-1964.  He then returned to his alma mater Gannon University in 1964 and over the next 33 years served the University in a variety of roles.  While at Gannon he held numerous leadership positions, including; faculty in the Business department (1964-1966), Assistant Director of Counseling and Placement (1966-1969), Coordinator of Student Personnel Services (1969-1972), Vice President for Student Services (1972-1989), and Vice President for Administrative Services (1989-1997).

Richard is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia McDonald Dunford, and his five children; Michael (Leslie) Dunford, Avon Lake, OH; Mark (Kathy) Dunford, Mason, OH; Cathy (Michael) Funari, Apex, NC;  Peter Dunford, Erie, PA; and Kristin (Mark) Manczka, Fairview, PA; brothers, Robert (Joanne) Dunford, Trumball, CT; Dennis Dunford, Hamilton, OH; 12 grandchildren, Erin (Tony) Cox, Jamie Dunford, Brian Dunford, Kelsey (Andy) Krusling, Courtney (Eric) Linneman, Nicolena (Daniel) Smith, Angelina, Julia, Michael Funari, Hannah, Emma, Matthew Manczka; five great-grandchildren: Patrick and Leo Cox, Kolee and Grady Krusling and Sloane Linneman.

Friends may call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9^th & Liberty St. on Friday from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM and are invited to attend Prayer Services there Saturday at 9:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s name to The Gannon University General Scholarship Fund, 109 University Square, Erie, PA 16501.

The family would like to thank the staff at Independence Village in Avon Lake, Ohio and Crossroads Hospice for the wonderful care they provided over the past few months.