Richard N. Schneider

ALFORD -- Richard N. Schneider, 86, of East Road and New York City, died yesterday at Noble Horizons Nursing Center in Salisbury, Conn. where he has been a resident for the past few years.

Born in Cazadero, Calif. on March 7, 1921, son of Frank and Sylvia Thom Schneider, he attended local schools and graduated from the University of Pacific with a bachelor's degree of arts.

He was a veteran of World War II, and served as a lieutenant of the Battleship "Washington" in the Pacific before being honorably discharged.

Following World War II, he moved to New York City and joined NBC, where he started as a page and worked his way up to director and producer of the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and the "Rose Bowl Parade".

Mr. Schneider was an 11-time "Emmy" winning television director. He won his "Emmys" for directing "Jeopardy" and "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" as well as being the executive producer of the Parade. He also directed "Jeopardy" for many years and helped with various other NBC specials. Some of the specials he directed were, "The Eleanor Roosevelt Special", "Princess Margaret's Wedding" and "The Pope's Mass" at Yankee Stadium in 1964.

Mr. Schneider was president of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for several years in the early 1980's and was a member of the Director's Guild of America and New York. He worked up until 1997 when Alzheimer's disease forced him to retire permanently.

He was a gourmet cook and great gardener. He enjoyed traveling around the world with his life partner, James Maher. Together the couple traveled to various places including New Zealand, China, Brazil and Europe.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Mass celebrating the life of Richard "Dick" Schneider, who died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington, conducted by the Rev. William Murphy. There will be no calling hours. Donations in memory of the late Richard N. Schneider can be made to the Alzheimer's Association New York City Chapter, through FINNERTY AND STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to www.finnertyandstevens.com Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, Inc., 426 Main Street Great Barrington, MA 01230.