Senior Chief Utilitiesman Richard (Dick) Cifranic, U.S. Navy Seabee, Retired, age 76, of Diamondhead, died on April 11, 2008 in Diamondhead. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter Cifranic and Susan Cifranic, and three sisters. Mr. Cifranic is survived by his wife, Donna J. Cifranic, of Diamondhead; two sons, Richard (Rich) Cifranic, Jr. and his wife, Sue, and Robert Cifranic and his wife, Sandy, both of Avon Lake, OH; a stepson, William Dickson, of Raymond, MS; and four grandchildren, Andrew Cifranic, Christine Cifranic, Natalie Cifranic, and Stacey Cifranic, all of Avon Lake, OH.
A highly decorated veteran of Vietnam, he retired after twenty two years from the U.S. Navy Seabees as a Senior Chief Utilitiesman. Richard was an active member of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, VFW Post 2880, Diamondhead, and NMCB 74 Vietnam Era. He was a member of the Diamondhead Yacht Club, an active member of the Diamondhead Compliance Committee, a founding member of the Advisory Board of Lightship Basket Museum, and a strong supporter of the Hancock County Food Pantry. He was a member of the Diamondhead Krewe of Selene, where he was King in 2007, the Krewe of Diamondhead, and the Boaters Association. Memorials may be given to: Hancock County Food Pantry, P.O. Box 4313, Bay St. Louis, MS 39521. A visitation will be held on Monday, April 14, 2008 from 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd., Long Beach. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 11:00 AM at the funeral home chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. Please join the family of Richard Cifranic in a celebration of his life at the Diamondhead Country Club on Tuesday, April 15, at 5:00 PM.