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Lloyd Riford Obituary
February 29, 1924 - July 20, 2025
Born in Auburn, New York on February 29, 1924, Lloyd Stephen Riford, Jr. passed away in Kihei, Maui, HI on July 20, 2025. He was 101 years old.
"Steve" Riford attended a one-room school in Half Acre, New York from kindergarten to 8th grade. He was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton University, with additional graduate work at Cornell University and Dartmouth College.
He was a World War II veteran, and served as an ambulance driver in the American Field Service from 1942-1945 in the Middle East, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, France and Germany. He worked for the Beacon Milling Company in Cayuga, New York for 20 years, becoming Vice President and part owner. He served as President of his family's Greystone Farm and Auburn Guernsey Farms, which included a dairy processing company, retail store and restaurant. He served 8 terms in the New York State Legislature as an Assemblyman and Senator. He represented five counties in Central New York.
He was active in community and service organizations, and served on several boards of directors including as Chairman of the Cayuga County (NY) Planning Board. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Central NY Regional Planning Board (for Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison, and Cortland Counties), on the Seymour Library Board of Trustees (as Secretary/Treasurer of that Auburn, NY library), the Auburn, NY YMCA Board of Directors, the Wells College (NY) Board of Trustees, and as Deacon of Keawala'i Congregational Church in Kihei, Maui. He received several awards and recognitions over his many years of constituent and community service.
Steve Riford was married for 50 years to Susan Crawford Riford, who passed away in 1997. He married Joan Chayka Riford in 1999. She passed away in 2021.
He is survived by his three children: Suzanne Riford Toman of Los Angeles (actor Suzanne Ford), Lloyd Stephen "Sandy" Riford of Oahu, and Thomas B. Riford of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. He has numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Steve Riford volunteered as an American Field Service ambulance driver at the onset of WWII in 1942, when he turned 18. He helped save numerous lives during his four years of wartime service.
In honor of Steve Riford's 100th birthday, the American Field Service in 2024 wrote: "AFS-USA proudly celebrates the life of Steve Riford-a WWII American Field Service ambulance driver...we acknowledge Steve not only for his humanity and acts of heroism during the war but for a lifetime of service to others, which has included transforming the lives of generations of young people."
The New York State Senate presented this resolution for his 100th birthday in 2024: https://www.nysenate.gov/print/pdf/node/12030701.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lloyd Riford
Roxann Buck
August 18, 2025
So sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I served with an Assemblyman from a neighboring/overlapping district from '79-'88 so worked closely with Steve and I roomed in Albany with Joan during those years.
Andy & Debbie Chestnut
August 5, 2025
So sorry to hear of Steve´s passing. I worked for Sue and Steve at Auburn Guernsey and they were wonderful people. They treated us like family
Sharon Germano Teasdale
August 4, 2025
Wonderful memories of wonderful people. Sad they are now gone but what wonderful lives and contributions.
Jack Hardy
August 4, 2025
Sue and Steve Riford were friends of my parents Charles & Eleanor Hardy. Steve was very helpful when I was beginning my college career. The Rifords will always be remembered as family friends.
Pamela Masson Livermore
August 3, 2025
I´m sorry for your loss. My Aunt Frances Masson was his secretary and spoke of him often when we talked about Beacon. We would ask her who her boss was and she would say L.S. Riford. She passed away last year at 99 years old.
Patti (Carbonaro) Callahan
August 2, 2025
Steve and Sue Riford were dear friends of our family. When Steve was Assemblyman and Senator, Sue would design and sew special dresses for me called the Sookie Line that would be selling in the Children´s Department at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC and then she went on to be the founder of the Merry Go Round Playhouse. Both Steve and Sue were always generously giving and helping people throughout the community.
My heart aches for the family. May the love and beautiful memories surround you with it´s warmth during this difficult time.
Bill Yaremchuk
August 2, 2025
Condolences to the family. Rembering Steve and Sue during my now, distant Half Acre Stage Stop days.
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