Obituary of Richard T. Furman

Richard Thomas Fredrick Furman
October 17, 1927 – August 3, 2023

Richard “Dick” Furman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and
friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on August 3, 2023, at the age of
95. Born in Huntington, NY, to parents William and Roseanna Furman, Dick was a lifelong
Huntington resident and devoted community member. He is preceded in death by his siblings,
William, Bruce, and Rose Marie, and cherished daughter, Katherine “Kathy” DeGelleke.

A World War II veteran, Dick left high school at 16 to join the Marines and served with the
Second Division in active combat in the Pacific theater during the invasions of Saipan, Tinian,
and Okinawa islands, and as part of the occupation forces in Nagasaki, Japan. After the war,
Dick returned home and married his teenage sweetheart, Virginia “Ginny” Galow, on November
19, 1950. Together they raised their three children, Richard, Kathy, and John, in Ginny’s
Huntington family home, the Old “Buffet Homestead,” which was built in 1750.

Following his service, Dick worked on the Magic City dredge deepening North Shore harbors
and then went on to a career with Otis Elevator during the sky-scraper boom of the 1960’s and
70’s in N.Y.C. – including the building of the World Trade Center from start to finish in 1973.
Later he worked with Melrose Marine and at Jacobsen’s shipyard in Oyster Bay.

An active member of the Huntington community, Dick volunteered with the Cold Spring Harbor
Fire Department for 35 years, including stints as Captain of the Rescue Squad, Assistant Chief,
Vice President, and President, and was one of the first EMT’s on Long Island. He also served
with the Boy Scouts of America as an advisor to the Explorer High-Adventure Program and Post
12 focusing on wilderness travel and backpacking.

An ardent outdoorsman throughout his life, Dick was a surf fisherman (Long Island Beach Buggy
Assoc. #74), car camper, hiker, backpacker, and avid birdwatcher (Audubon Society). He passed
his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren, who share many wonderful
memories of adventures spent in nature together.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ginny, his eldest son Richard and daughter-in law Kairn,
his youngest son John and daughter-in-law Babette, son-in-law Scott DeGelleke, and his four
grandchildren, Kira, Kali, Kort, and Cole, two great-grandchildren, Emma and Evalina, and his
brother Peter.

Dick is remembered for his loving and humorous nature, sharp wit, exceedingly strong work
ethic, a love of sweets – especially cookies and ice cream – and his belief that “any day above
ground is a good day.” He leaves his family with a lifetime of memories, as well as many pieces
of sage-like advice, wisdom, and family sayings that guide us all through good times and bad.
We are all “lucky little devils” to have known, loved, and be loved by him.

Arrangements are under the care of M. A. Connell Funeral Home, a viewing will be held from 4
to 8 p.m., Monday, August 7. The funeral processional will depart from M. A. Connell Funeral
Home at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 8 and the burial will take place at 11 a.m. at the Calverton
National Cemetery. A memorial service will follow from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Cold Spring Harbor
Fire House.

Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Huntington-Oyster Bay
Audubon Society at PO Box 735 Huntington, NY 11743 or online via their website.