Dr. Richard L. "Dick" Cardiff

Dr. Richard Dick L. Cardiff, DDS, MSc, DSc, age 66, died, Sunday, January 16, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Kathleen Kathy (Pettersen) Cardiff of Framingham. Born in Framingham, he was the son of the late Leo J. and Eva B. (Pleshaw) Cardiff. Dick was a graduate of Framingham High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he received a scholarship in gymnastics. He also graduated from New York University, College of Dentistry and completed his dental internship at Staten Island Hospital, New York. After completing his internship in New York, Dick moved back to Boston where he graduated from the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry obtaining a degree in Prosthetic Dentistry followed by a Masters and Doctor of Science in Dentistry. He went on to become an Assistant Professor in the Department of Graduate Prosthodontics at BU School of Graduate Dentistry. He designed mouth guards for the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal Mens Ice Hockey Team as well as the mouth guard warn by Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes. He was a participating pioneer in the field of Dental Implants and TMJ disorder. In addition, he lectured throughout the world on cutting edge technology of dentistry. He spent his entire career as a member of the Yankee Dental Congress where he was involved with developing the Agenda and many Events for the annual Yankee Dental Congress conferences. He was a member of the American Dental Society and served on the Board of Dental Peer Review and President and Treasurer of the Metropolitan District Dental Society. While his most pleasurable success was the care and treatment of his patients; he also enjoyed spending time with his friends and family whether it was skiing, traveling the world or hosting his many clambakes at his summer home in Chatham. He was a licensed pilot and loved flying his own plane. In addition to his wife Kathy, he is survived by two daughters Kimberly and Kara Cardiff of Framingham. He is also survived by his sister, Paula Leporati and her husband Mark of Framingham and his three brothers, Edward Cardiff and his wife Sharron of TX, David Cardiff and his wife Melanie of CO, and Dennis Cardiff of Framingham and many nieces and nephews. Relatives & friends are invited to attend his funeral on Saturday at 11:30 AM from the Norton Funeral Home, www.nortonfuneralhome.com 53 Beech Street (corner of Union Ave), Framingham, followed by his funeral Mass at 12:30 PM in St. Bridgets Church, 830 Worcester Road, (Rt. 9), near Framingham Center. Burial will follow at St. Stephen Cemetery, Framingham. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Friday from 3 - 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dick may be made to the American Cancer Society 30 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01702.