Richard P. Sanders

Richard P. Sanders lived a long and wonderful life with his wife, Patricia Ann and his five children, Christine, Michael, Kathleen, Timothy and Jennifer. His home was filled with fun and laughter, many pets (too many to mention) and good friends.

When he wasn’t fixing a car or doing home repairs, he loved to scare people, especially with his scary masks. He was known to pull pranks on people and had many people in town believing he had a twin brother (he didn’t). His personality was of a fun-loving guy who could tell a joke or make you laugh at the drop of a hat.

As a dad, he was involved in coaching youth sports teams for many years, including CYO Basketball. It was important to him that he teach his children how to fish, swim, play baseball, work on cars, do home repairs and remodeling, cook and earn a living. He was an amazing cook and Sunday morning breakfast was bacon and eggs with rolls and doughnuts from the bakery. He was the head cook at our cabin on the lake in Connecticut and all the family BBQs. His steak on the grill was second to none.

Richard Paul Sanders was born on June 25, 1933, to Catherine (nee Cherrier) and Bernard Sanders in Brooklyn, New York. As a young boy, his family moved to New Mexico and then Louisiana. He attended LSU as a music major and was an accomplished violinist. He left college to enlist in the Army and upon release, he landed in the East Rockaway/Lynbrook, Long Island, New York area, where he resided for almost 50 years before moving to Barefoot Bay, Florida in the early 2000s. He died on June 18, 2024.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia Ann (nee Martin), whom he met on a blind date in 1957. They were married on July 26, 1958. Richard is survived by his five children Christine, Michael, Kathleen, Timothy and Jennifer. He is also survived by his daughters-in-law Lynn and Michele, his son-in-law Alan Hanson and two grandsons, Trevor and Miles Hanson.

In memory of Richard, have a vodka martini or a beer and hope the Mets improve this season. Most importantly, he lived a good long life and was loved by many.

Arrangements are:

Visitation will be held Monday, June 24 from 5 to 7 pm at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, Florida.

Mass of Christian burial will occur Tuesday, June 25 from 1pm to 2 pm at St. Luke Catholic Church, 5055 Micco Road, Barefoot Bay, Florida.

Graveside service will follow Tuesday, June 25 at 3 pm at Fountainhead Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, FL.