Michael James Richardson

Michael James Richardson was born May 5, 1947 in Allentown, PA, to parents Thomas James Richardson and Marie Gordon Richardson. He was predeceased by his father. He is survived by his mother, wife Deidre Haley Richardson, son Thomas (partner David Randall), daughter Laurie Baker (husband James), sister Susan Hecker (husband Ed), brother Scott Richardson (wife MaryAnn), nephews Brian Kochenash and Greg Richardson, and brother-in-law Edmund Haley.

Michael graduated from William Allen High School in 1965 where he participated in varsity wrestling and football, and was elected his class treasurer. After high school, he attended East Stroudsburg State College where he was active in his fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon, and graduated with B.S. and M.Ed. degrees. He also completed his athletic training certification program at Penn State University.

He taught at Emmaus High School for 34 years. During his tenure, he coached football and wrestling, and later became the school’s first certified athletic trainer. He was a CPR instructor and certified thousands of his health class students. Before completely retiring, he became an assistant athletic trainer at Muhlenberg College for 14 years.

While living in the Lehigh Valley, he was an active member of the Lehigh Valley Road Runners, participated in local races, and served on its board as Vice President.

When in Delaware at their beach home, he enthusiastically ran in the Summer Series of the Seashore Striders Running Club for 24 years and volunteered to help when not competing.

He and his wife of 53 years shared their time most recently between the states of Delaware and Florida. They were “Snow Birds.”

At the time of his death, he was living in Florida with his wife, doting on his beloved animals, and enjoying an active life of biking with the Solivita bike club, running with friends and occasionally joining his wife on the golf course.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation to your local animal shelter in his honor.