Richard J. Tanfield III

1946 - 2023

Richard J. Tanfield III, 77, of Moscow died early Friday morning at his home following a lengthy illness. His wife is the former Donna Pizzo. The couple celebrated 54 years of marriage on April 26, 2023.

Born Nov. 4, 1946, in Moscow, he was the son of the late Richard J. and Anna (Raymon) Tanfield.

Richard was a graduate of North Pocono High School, the National Hardwood Grading School of Memphis, Tenn. and the lumber grading program at Penn State University. He was a member of the Hardwood Lumber Association. Prior to his retirement, Richard was the fourth-generation owner/operator of R. Tanfield Lumber Company, now known as Tanfield Lumber and Veneer, and he loved his work. Richard was a wonderful steward of the family business, begun in 1869, successfully passing it to a fifth generation of the Tanfields.

He believed in giving back to his community, having served as a member of the Moscow Borough Council, as a member and Eucharistic minister at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Moscow, and as a coach for t-ball. He would do anything for anyone and often anonymously helped those in need. He cherished his many canine companions through the years, but his family is what he cherished most. His love for his wife Donna was endless and true. He was so proud of his children and their accomplishments. Above all, his grandchildren were the apples of his eye.

The family of Richard would like to thank Traditional Home Health and Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion over the years.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his son, Rick, and wife Chris; his daughter, Dena, and husband Chip; his grandchildren, Allyson, Carissa, Ava and Alivia; his step-grandchildren, Lexie and Michael; his brother, Thomas Tanfield; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his brother, John Tanfield; his nephew, Scott McAndrews; and his sister-in-law, Mary Beth Tanfield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 220 Church St., Moscow, Pa., with the Rev. Thomas M. Muldowney, pastor, as celebrant.

Friends may call on Thursday from 4 until 7 p.m. or Friday from 9 until 9:30 a.m. in Duffy & Snowdon Funeral Home, 401 Church St., Moscow, Pa. Interment and rite of committal will be conducted at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Covington Twp., Pa.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, or Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. For online condolences, visit the funeral home website or Facebook page.