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Richard “Richie” Jerome Suffern
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Lifelong Staten Islander Richard “Richie” Jerome Suffern, 57, April 22, 1965 – June 29, 2022. Originally, from Stapleton, Richard lived most of his life in Concord, St. George, Brooklyn and Rosebank. He attended McKee High School and graduated from the New York City Police Academy in 1995.
Mr. Suffern served at PSA 4 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan for the entire 25 years of career. It was a job he loved, a community of which he was proud to be a part, and colleagues with whom he was honored to serve. On his job and in the PSA 4 community he was well known for his generous spirit and genuine concern for the people with whom he came into contact. He was a 9/11 first responder.
He retired from the NYPD in 2019 and immediately took to voraciously enjoying his retirement. He often responded to questions about retirement with “I’m gonna live my life!” He did precisely that. He traveled frequently. His trips included the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Costa Rica. He was an avid sports fan who loved the NY Mets and despised the NY Yankees. He was a diehard NY Knicks fan. He enjoyed customizing his 1961, teal green Resto Mod Chevy Belair and loved cars in general; he usually owned two or three at a time. He surrounded himself with family and a core group of best friends who became family. His motto was “Family over everything!” He took it seriously. At his girlfriend Kathy’s Brooklyn home where he spent much of his time, friends gathered often to barbeque, smoke Cuban cigars – of which he kept an enviable collection – listen to music, and talk sports and life – loudly. His smile and sense of humor were contagious. His friends describe him as “a class act” and “a cool brother who always kept it 100.”
“Our brother was proof of the limitless capacity of love,” said his brother Conrad. “He was living proof that the more you love, the more love there is. One of his friends said he would call every now and then just to say ‘What’s up, homie? Just checking in. Nothing else; just that.’ He knew the true meaning of community. He was the amazing anchor that brought together so many around joy.” His family included those he inherited and those he chose: his NYPD partners over 25 years were Mark Martin, followed by Christopher Castro, Geneva Anderson Reid, Eric De Jesus, Harlyn De Los Santos, Sgt. Brendan Cassidy, Jacqueline Colon; his Marcha restaurant family where he and his PSA 4 friends regularly held court with owners Wendy Bermudez and Alan Mendez; his Brooklyn backyard and Staten Island stoop families Carmen Rios-Figueroa, Christopher “Chris” O’Garro, Danny American, Davere and Devin Creighton, David “Dee” Creighton, Jenny Goris, Dennis Hamilton, Derek Williams (deceased), Godfrey “Gee” Charles, Jeffrey Gurley, Martha Cruz-Whiting, Jesus Quiles, John Whiting, Rachel Ortiz, Raymond Jeffrey “Jeff” Luciano, Shemar Edwards, Sidney “Sid” Valero, Vidal “Buck” Figueroa, Ray Jiggetts (deceased), Robert “Big Rob” Gillen, Ryan Watts, William “Barry” Jones.
Richie and his partner Kathy loved to travel and seek out different cigars for him to hoard. They loved to entertain, watch movies and videos, make new family, be with friends and family, and enjoy the backyard gazebo that he built for her as a Mother’s Day gift and, then, took over. He loved her cooking.
He loved old school R&B, hip hop, and because his mother taught him to, Latin jazz and Tito Puente. His sister Tracy spent 20 years trying to force him to learn to dance salsa – to no avail. She resorted to begging him to learn bachata. He would have none of it. The battle was constant and entertaining.
In addition to his two siblings Conrad “Rusty” Russell Suffern, Jr. and Tracy Nicole Hyter-Suffern, surviving are his longtime partner Katherine “Kathy” Ann Luciano, his nephew and godson Russell Anthony Suffern, nieces Cheyenne Nichol Suffern, Destiny and Leanna and Canales, his aunt Jacqueline Hyter, his sister‑in‑law Theresa Sparrow-Suffern, Kathy’s daughter Chloe Rose Ruiz and her children Ava Annalise and Ariah Marie Delgado to whom he was “Pop pop,” his “adopted” brothers Joshua and Nathaniel Reyes, Jensen Daniel and Timothy Lewis, and an enormous host of family and friends who called him family. He was preceded in death by his father Conrad “Bud” Russell Suffern in 1984 and his mother Joyce “Dolly” Jean Hyter in 2010. Richard J. Suffern was an enrolled member of the Ramapough Munsee Lunaape Nation.
A wake will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 11am, with a 10am final viewing. Streaming option via Zoom will be provided via the funeral home’s website. All services will be held at Cherubini McInerney Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302. A repast location will be announced. Private cremation and interment will follow.
Zoom Meeting: 3468090906
Passcode: funeral
Service
Viewing
Cherubini McInerney Funeral Home
1289 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10302
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Tuesday, July 12, 20227:00pm - 9:00pm
Service with Special Honors
Cherubini McInerney Funeral Home
1289 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York
Wednesday, July 13, 202211:00am
Private Cremation
Alberto Lopez Jr. says
Truly a UNIQUE AND SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL😭I’ll will continously pray for the family and friends for SPIRITUAL, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STRENGTH. BLESS🙏🏽💖AMEN😇
DeReese Huff says
My deepest condolences to your family. He was a giant loving police officer in our community that has love and respect for everyone. My prayers to the family.I will always remember his smile. Ms.Huff
Maritza and Entcho says
Dear Tracy. We are saddened to hear that your brother passed away. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Holding you close in my thoughts and hoping you are doing OK.
Jean AppolonomI says
I am deeply sorry for this great loss and I hope that Richie continuing to give all of us strength to deal without his physical presence!!! May his spirit bring peace to the whole world 💜
Winda says
My Deepest condolences to the family and Kathy!! I am still in shock and at a lost for words. Richie was always the kindest and sweetest to me when he came to his appointments!! His smile always brighten the room which is always a sign of a great soul! May he sleep in peace!!
Leonel Zelaya says
Our deepest condolences on behalf of everyone at Maizal Restaurant
Albert Felder says
May you rest in peace cousin Richie you will be truly missed and we love you always.
Tiffany Bruce-Watson says
There will Never be another Richie he was as real as they come, time waits for no one, “and the working man is always and will be a sucker” I’ll miss hearing your daily rants and realness. Sleep in Peace amongst the angels!
Carolyn Flanders says
We never know what’s going 2 happen, but we live as if there is no limitations on our lives. Even though we grew apart u never left my side. I’m going 2 miss u so much cousin!!
Lou pannone says
Sufferin succotash Richie and I came out of the academy together and worked at psa 4 although we were never partners it was always a pleasure to follow him whether before or after his tour. Richie always kept it real that was his best and possibly worst trait. A great cop a great man a great human rip mr suffern.
Marc Conquest says
Russ/Tracy, the times we spent in NY with you guys were filled with fun, food and family. Late night on the steps playing punch car sometimes til morning. Then as we got a little older you and Richie looked as if y’all stepped out of Krush Groove movie. Wearing the leather and carrying the ‘box’. As the younger cousin I looked up to you guys and always enjoyed that ride to Staten Island ‘Targee St’ (memory) and then getting cold cuts and rolls. Life was good. Will miss you Richie for sure and this one hurts like hell. Russ and Tracy love you….
Fernando Quiles says
Kathy,
My deepest condolences, I still can’not believe this is real. Rich was an amazing person, always happy smiling and joking.
May he rest in peace and he will alway be with you💙
Fernando Quiles
Lisa Rivera says
My deepest condolences for the loss of Richie Kathy my deepest sympathy I pray you find comfort and strength throughout this terrible sorrow He was a humble man with a caring heart I will miss his smile and his wave accompanied by a Good Morning I pray he’s reached the gates of heaven and is now resting in peace RIP 🕊🕯 ✝️ 💔 🙌 🙏
James Boyd says
My deepest condolences go out to the family. Richie was a great guy, and it was a great experience meeting and working with him at PSA 4. You will truly be missed Big Guy.
Lisa Rivera says
My condolences to Kathy on the loss of Richie I’m so sorry and I offer my deepest sympathy I pray God embraces you with comfort and strength He was a humble man with a caring heart I will always remember he’s smile and hand wave wishing me a Goodmorning RIP 💔 🕊🕯✝️ 🙌 🙏
YuVonne Lewis says
Sincere condolences to the Suffern family, friends, and police family of dearly departed Richard. May God bless you with patience and strength during your unfortunate time of bereavement. Richard is gone but he’ll never be forgotten. Rest eternally in peace Richard. 🙏
Ken Tinajero says
My deepest condolences to the Suffern family and Luciano family. Richie was one of the most experienced, knowledgeable, compassionate, NYPD police officers in the Department. He was the consummate professional. It was a pleasure to know him inside and outside the “job”. Socially, he was a very friendly and gregarious person. I won’t forget the memories of having a drink at the local bar with our colleagues, going to PSA 4 functions, and traveling outside the US. You will be missed Ritchie. Offer God a cigar when you get to heaven.
Daryl Porti says
My deepest sympathies go to the Suffern family,Richie was a big part of my career it was such a pleasure working with him at Psa4,I will miss you big guy.
Brenda Rivera says
My deepest condolences for Kathy and rich family words can not express enough.
He was a great guy. I would of never thought that a few days before his death we would never talked on the phone again about the contract from the Pba. Rich and me and Diane Retirer around the same time from NYPD
May he RIP. , taken too soon, but never forgotten!!!
Kim Slater says
I’m sending you my deepest condolences to the family and love ones may God give you all strength and guidance through this tragic time..I’m gonna miss seeing you kathy and martin at yall favorite spot near the precinct may you rest in pe6
Diadrian Clarke says
My condolences to the family. Praying for strength and peace during this hard time.
Bridget says
My sincerest condolences Kathy and family on the passing of your beloved Richie. Although I never met him, I know with all the memories you shared with us of the two of you through pics and videos, that he loved you immensely as much as you loved him as well. We should all be that fortunate to experience and have a love like the one that you and your Richie shared with one another. That love is forever. You are in my prayers always. May he rest in eternal peace and may time and memories bring you comfort now and thereafter. My love to you..🙏😔❤️
Victor M Rivas says
My deepest condolences to Kathy and your family, I met Richie in 1997 at PSA 4 we were cops there, he truly helped me out as a rookie and throughout my time there, and when I retired in 2017 he drove to 1 pp and took me back to PSA 4 he was always great to have around you. Richie was a genuine person a good man a good cop u could always rely on him there is so much I can say about him but there is not enough room for that, he was so valuable in this life and will be in the next, RIP Brother u will be missed.
Luis J Nunez says
Richie, was always a gentleman, respectful and straight to the point . I remember working with him out there in PSA 4 on foot posts whether in riis , wald among other developments in NYCHA. We had endless great and happy times and he often was my workout partner in the psa 4 gym. Strong 💪man indeed! More than myself. He was the Best a gentleman can be . Brother I pray for you and your family & may I meet you one day in Heaven to continue our journey. Miss you Brother ! 🕊
Vivian Mcclain says
Popi and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Tracey and Rusty as well as the rest of your family.
My heart is truly aching for your loss .
May the lord be with your and your family.
Marc & Nicole Conquest says
We’re offering our deepest condolences to the Suffern family. Richie was a bright light that illuminated any space he was in. Hearing of his passing was truly devastating. Our prayer is that God will provide a small relief to your overwhelming grief in time. We will continue to keep you all in prayer. God bless.
Eric Conquest says
Rest in Peace cousin you will be missed. From your family in Philadelphia. Blessed are those that MOURN for they shall be comforted. The Conquest Family
Michael Lee says
Big Brother, Partner and Friend and Extraordinary Man and He is Loved and Missed Always !!! May Your Soul Rest In Peace My Brother, Deepest Condolences To Family and Relatives Love You “Succotash”
Daryl Porti says
My deepest sympathies to the Suffern family,Richie was a big part of my career at Psa4 always looking after the younger cops. it was a pleasure working with him.He was always someone to lean on.I will miss you big guy.
Simone Smith (Red) says
My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Richie. I will always remember seeing him with that big smile on his face….always pleasant….always humble. What a tremendous loss to all that had the blessing of knowing him. May he SIP and May God provide comfort to all affected by his untimely passing🙏🏾🕊💙