Mr. Richard Vincent Gassmann, former mayor and lifetime resident of Matamoras, PA and Westfall Township, died Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Bon Secours Community Hospital. He was 82.

He was born May 16, 1931 in Westfall Township, PA, the son of the late Ralph Cecil Gassmann and Hazel Roberts Gassmann.

Richard married Helen Zitone Gassmann 53 years ago on October 8, 1960 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Matamoras, PA.

He graduated from the Matamoras School in 1949 and upon graduation he entered the United States Air Force and was stationed in England as a Radio Man during the Korean War from 1949-1953. Upon discharge from the Air Force, Richard attended Penn State University and East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree under the GI Bill and later a Masters Degree at William Paterson College.

He was a 30-year educator working as an elementary school teacher and principal for the Frankford Township School District in Branchville, NJ retiring in 1990.

After his retirement from teaching he was appointed mayor in 2003, serving for nine years following in the footsteps of long-time mayor Joseph Ricciardi. Prior to becoming mayor, Richard was always very active in the Matamoras Borough. He served on the Matamoras Borough Council from 1968-1978 and again from 1982-2003. He was the chairman of the Pike County Democratic Committee for 10 years. He helped form the Matamoras Advisory Committee, which later became the Matamoras Recreation Committee. This Recreation Committee spearheaded the transformation of the Old Matamoras Airport into the Matamoras Recreation Park. Richard was also instrumental in the creation of the Matamoras Veterans Memorial Park & Education Center at Airport Park. He was active from 2005-2009 with the Matamoras Revitalization Committee, securing the first grant for the sidewalks on Pennsylvania Avenue in Matamoras.

Richard helped reorganize and served as the Commander of the American Legion Devore Quinn Post #486 in Matamoras. He was a 40-plus-year member of the Matamoras Volunteer Fire Department and the Port Jervis Elks’ Lodge BPOE #645.

A family statement read: “Richard recognized the importance of commitment to one’s community and he dedicated his public life to that end. He was a genuinely warm and friendly person who loved his family and took pride in its growth and happiness.’’

Surviving are his loving wife Helen Zitone Gassmann at home; two sons, William Gassmann of Exton, PA and Robert Gassmann of Mohawk, NY; one brother, Andrew Gassmann of Castle Rock, CO; sister Sylvia Francis and her husband Edward Francis of Davenport, FL; four granddaughters, Karen, Sarah, Madeline and Carly Gassmann; one brother-in-law, Edward Zitone and his wife Joyce; three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Dalrymple, Joyce Helms and Lois Zitone; also several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother William Gassmann and his sister Hazel Drexler; brother-in-law Joseph Zitone; and sister-in-law Lorraine Zitone.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, with Pastor Nancy Vonderhorst officiating.

Following cremation, a private burial of cremains will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Veterans Memorial Park & Education Center, PO Box 303, Matamoras, PA 18336.