Dr. Honorico "Ric" Ciordia

UntitledDR. HONORICO
"RIC" CIORDIA
1920 - 2008

Dr. H. "Ric" Ciordia, 87, of Pensacola, FL, and formerly of Griffin, GA, died January 6, 2008. Dr. Ciordia was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
Survivors include his wife, Polly Pearson Ciordia; children, Dr. Richard H. (Page) Ciordia, of Pensacola, FL, and Cynthia (John) McKnight of St. Simons Island, GA. He was "Poppy" to his six grandchildren and two great-grandsons, Kristin McKnight of Edwards, CO, Melissa (Mike) Brant of Dublin, CA, Dr. David Johnson of Salisbury, MD, Elizabeth Johnson, Andy (Robin) Ciordia, and Catherine Ciordia, of Charlotte, NC, Cameron Lott of Dublin, CA, and Joey Ryan of Charlotte, NC.
He received his BA, MS and PhD degrees in Zoology from the University of Tennessee. He obtained a research grant from the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1953 to study the effects of radiation on parasites and on parasitized animals. For 31 years he served as a Veterinary Parasitologist for the Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A., Georgia Experiment Station, Griffin, GA until his retirement in 1986. During his tenure there, he served as Adjunct Professor of Parasitology and as Professor Emeritus at The University of Georgia. He was the author of numerous scientific publications in his field. In 1997 he was honored by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists with the Distinguished Service Award in appreciation for outstanding service to the advancement of veterinary parasitology.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Elks Club of Griffin and a volunteer at the Medical Center Clinic in Pensacola.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to support his interests in education and classical music. Contributions may be made to: Arch Foundation, UGA Griffin Campus, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, GA 30223 or Friends of the Saenger, Attn: Renovation, P.O. Box 13666, Pensacola, FL 32591.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL in Pensacola with memorial service to begin at 6:00 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at Westwood Gardens, Griffin, GA at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.
The family of Honorico Ciordia wishes to give special thanks to the staff of Carpenter's Creek Community, West Florida Hospital, The Haven, and Covenant Hospice for their compassion, kindness, and especially their appreciation of Ric's humor. He could make everyone smile and laugh. First Today!