Albany, NY -- August 23 -- Richard Hazzard, owner and president of the Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster and the Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson, was elected vice president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) at the organization’s annual meeting which concluded yesterday in Saratoga Springs, New York. A licensed funeral director since 1965, Hazzard will serve for the 2007-2008 term.

Hazzard is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the New York State Funeral Directors Association and the Putnam-Ulster-Dutchess Funeral Directors Association. He 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, a member and former president of the Brewster Fire Department and a member of the Patterson Fire Department, and a member of the Brewster, Patterson and North Salem Chambers of Commerce. 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. More than 800 member firms and 3000 licensed funeral directors who operate across the state belong to the New York State Funeral Directors Association. In addition to maintaining a Website at www.nysfda.org, NYSFDA also publishes a quarterly newspaper column “Transitions” and brochures which educate and inform consumers about end-of-life issues.

--30--