Richard Thomas Canfield

Richard Thomas Canfield, 82, of Ringoes, New Jersey died unexpectedly on November 23, 2016. He is survived by his loving wife Roberta Perrin Canfield and his devoted children and their spouses: Alison and Dominic Oliverio of Jamaica Plain, MA, Brian and Kellie Neet of Corvallis, OR, Jennifer and Tim Brokaw of Lincoln, VT, and Paul and Amy Casavant of Madison, NJ. He found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren: Maggie Canfield, Benjamin Canfield, Braeden Canfield, Gwyneth Canfield, Finnian Brokaw, and Grady Brokaw.

The son of Joseph Patrick Canfield and Hertta Elina Vasanoja, Dick was born on September 24, 1934 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY. Although he grew up in Brooklyn, he spent many weekends at the house he built with his parents on Roaring Brook Lake in Putnam County, New York. He also cherished his summer visits out to his family farm in Cromwell, Minnesota. These experiences fostered Dick’s lifelong passion for the outdoors and he remained an avid biker up until the day he died.

Dick attended Brooklyn Preparatory High School and graduated in 1955 from University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. During his college years, Dick enjoyed a stint as a lifeguard at the Breezy Point Surf Club in New York. Dick worked as a nuclear engineer for 20 years and then pursued a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. Richard was a lifelong learner who was passionate about sharing his learning with others.

He married Roberta Perrin, also from Park Slope, in 1958 and they lived in both Idaho and Connecticut, but eventually settled down in Lawrenceville and then Ringoes, New Jersey. Dick and Roberta had a long and fulfilling marriage and family life together, sharing many happy memories with their children and grandchildren. We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of our gentle, kind, humble and generous husband, father, grandfather; however, we are grateful for the long and wonderful life he shared with all of us.

There will be no calling hours and services will be private. Arrangements were under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home in Flemington NJ.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.