Rev. Dr. Richard Francis "Deacon" Radford, age 80, journeyed peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on May 19, 2019 at Cornerstone Hospice House, The Villages, FL surrounded and comforted by his adoring family. Born in Boston on February 15, 1939, Richard lived the majority of his storied life in Brookline, MA. He graduated from Stoneham (MA) High in​ 1956 ​and served in the Army from ​1959-1962​ as a German/French interpreter, Army newspaper editor, and founded a battalion golf team. He met his soulmate and helpmate ("Saint") Lynne in 1962 and they were married in 1966. Richard graduated with honors in English rom Boston State College, and he held graduate degrees in education (M.Ed., Ed.D.) from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst – all obtained nights and weekends; thus "Ste." Lynne. A widely-published poet and author of several books of fiction and non-fiction, Deacon Dick, with the blessing of his family, later turned to running a large homeless shelter (Lowell) for street people, another for women and their children (Brockton), and a half-way house for men coming out of prison (Hyde Park). He also served as a Chaplain in a women's prison and was a Licensed Social Worker and Addictions Counselor. In 1988, Richard was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic church after 4 years of study at St. John's Seminary in Boston. Through his last day he had a large and active healing ministry, which he began in 1976. He was a Deacon at St. Mary of the Assumption church in Brookline, MA for over 20 years and after moving to The Village, FL served as Deacon at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Wildwood. Richard enjoyed (to say the very least) playing golf, listening to beautiful music, telling astonishing stories, spending precious time with his family and friends, and enjoying the serenity of the family cottage at Sebago Lake, Maine. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend Lynne, and his adoring children Amy and Richard III (Emily Reale); his amazing and beautiful grandchildren Nora and Deacon; brothers David (Carol) and Gerard Radford; and a multitude of other family and friends. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. A Funeral Mass was held at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Wildwood, FL followed by interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. A Memorial Mass will be held at a future date and time to be announced in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Brookline.