Putnam County Funeral Director Richard Hazzard Elected NYSFDA Immediate Past President

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (08/25/2010)(readMedia)-- Richard Hazzard, former owner and president of the Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster and the Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson, was elected immediate past president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) at the organization's annual meeting which concluded today in Saratoga Springs, New York. Hazzard retired in 2008 and now serves as a consultant to the Beecher and Dwyer Funeral Homes. A licensed funeral director since 1965, Hazzard will serve for the 2010-2011 term.

Hazzard is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the New York State Funeral Directors Association and the Dutchess-Putnam-Ulster Funeral Directors Association. He attended the National Foundation of Funeral Service and graduated from the Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse.

Active in his community, he is a member and former president of the Brewster Lions Club, a member of the Patterson Lions Club, Holmes United Methodist Church, Croton Lodge F & A.M. and the Brewster Elks Lodge. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Putnam Hospital Center for many years.

Founded in 1889, NYSFDA's mission is to promote the highest standards of funeral service to the public and to enhance the environment in which its members operate. Almost 900 member firms and 3500 licensed funeral directors who operate across the state belong to the New York State Funeral Directors Association. In addition to maintaining a Web site at www.nysfda.org, NYSFDA also publishes a quarterly newspaper column "Transitions" and brochures which educate and inform consumers about end-of-life issues.

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Editor's Note: For more information, please call Randy McCullough at 518-452-8230, or Vera Nuspliger at 518-882-9816; cell 518-424-8719. Hazzard's photo can be downloaded at www.nysfda.org; click on About Us; then Press Room.