Richard Sparrow, 83 of East Syracuse, peaceably passed away November 13th.

He was born in Syracuse to the late Kenneth and Catherine Sparrow.  Dick was a proud veteran of the US Air Force, having served in the Vietnam conflict as a combat photographer where he was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He served 23 years with the New York State Police, retiring as a Senior Investigator in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. In addition to receiving several Superintendent’s Commendations, he was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System (SAFIS). He was active in the International Association For Identification and a Fellow of The Fingerprint Society of Great Britain. Following his retirement from the State Police, he was a licensed Private Investigator and a Senior Fraud Investigator with AIG. He held a commercial pilot’s license with instrument rating. A collector of antique fire apparatus, he was a member of the Society For The Preservation and Appreciation of Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA) and served several terms as President of the CNY chapter. He also collected antique duck decoys. He was a member of the Association of former New York State Troopers and the Fraternal Order Of Police. He served many years as President of the Erie Village Homeowners Association.  He also volunteered as Patty's driver for Meals on Wheels for 30 years.  He loved traveling the world with the love of his life, his wife Patty of 56 years. They visited all 50 states, camping in 49 of them, most of the Canadian Provinces and traveling by motor home through 7 European countries and visiting many other countries. 

He was predeceased by his brother Kenneth Roger and nephew Michael Sparrow.  He leaves behind wife Patty, daughter Laurie Sullivan, son Scott and grandson Michael Sullivan, several nephews, nieces and cousins. 

A funeral service will be held on December 4, 2025 at 11AM in the chapel at Onondaga Veterans Cemetery, 4069 Howlett Hill Road, Syracuse 13215. Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, 300 Burt St., Syracuse NY 13202. 

Condolence www.shepardsonfh.com.