Lake Mary, Florida—Dana Richmond Safford, 52, of Lake Mary, Florida, formerly of Worcester, died on February 14, at home.
He leaves his mother, Phyllis Bolin Safford of Brandon, FL; his father, Charles Richmond Safford of Tilton, NH; his sister, Karen Safford Utenis of Essex, MA; six children, Peter Ryan Antonian of Salinas, CA; Kerry Lynn Girouard of Athol, MA; Jennifer Lea Giancaterino of Gardner, MA; Mandi Jean Williams of Chicopee, MA; Shayne Richmond Safford and Chelsea Marie Safford, both of Worcester; ten grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.
Mr. Safford, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, spent two weeks in language school learning Vietnamese before joining a platoon of Marines and South Vietnamese soldiers in what was known as a Combined Action Program that mixed war with civic improvement in an area around Danang. In June of 1968, 13 days before the end of his tour, he suffered missile wounds while moving into an ambush site near Danang. He was awarded 2 Purple Hearts as well as several other medals of distinction.
Mr. Safford attended Boys Trade High School and earned an Associate’s Degree in Engineering at Worcester Industrial Technical Institute. He was a member of the Veteran’s Post in Worcester and also in Lake Mary. Mr. Safford worked as a postman, steelworker, and an officer in the Steel Worker’s Union in Worcester. He was employed by G.W. Systems, Inc., of Longwood, Florida, until the time of his death. Mr. Stafford was a member of basketball and softball leagues in Worcester and was a past manager of the 1982 Lou Gehrig Babe Ruth All Stars.
The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street. Calling hours at the funeral home will be 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21.