Richard G. Saffire, ran successful food brokerage firms

S a ff i re

Richard George Saffire, 77, of Eggertsville, a mainstay in the food brokerage business and retired owner of Western New York Merchandisers and the Shelly Meat Co., died Sunday, June 3, 2007.

Born in Worchester, Mass., he moved to Buffalo with his family when he was 8. After serving on the USS New Jersey during the Korean War, Mr. Saffire began his sales career with Hunt Wesson Foods, where he worked for 13 years.

In 1960, Mr. Saffire married singer Rosemary Attea. They recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Saffire entered the food brokerage business in 1967 as president of Drewitt, Saffire & Engl. With his brother Al, they built the business into one of the area's largest food brokerage firms.

After a brief retirement, Mr. Saffire joined forces with his son John to form Saffire, Gasuik and Saffire, Inc., again becoming a force in the food brokerage community. He later retired as owner of Western New York Merchandisers and Shelly Meat Co.

Mr. Saffire was instrumental in creating the Korean War Soldiers Memorial and was honored by the local Korean community on the 50th anniversary of the war.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Saffire is survived by a daughter, Linda; three sons, Richard, John and Joe; a sister, Marie Snyder, a brother, Albert; and eight grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Thursday, June 7 in St. John Maron Maronite Catholic Church in Williamsville.

Arrangements were made by Dengler and Roberts Funeral Home.