Father Richard J. Sammon, M.M.

Father Richard J. Sammon, M.M., a native of New York City who served for nearly half a century in Portezuelo, Chile, died on June 11 at his parish there. He was 78. Ordained to the priesthood for the Maryknoll Fathers in 1956 after studies at Maryknoll Seminary in Ossining, he was soon assigned to Chile where he worked with poor farmers in Portezuelo. He also served two terms as Maryknoll's assistant regional superior in Chile (1983-89). The only priest in the parish serving Portezuelo and 23 nearby hill communities, became the driving force behind the parish's school system which operates five elementary schools and a high school. Shortly before his death, he was honored by the government of Chile with the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins. He was named an honorary citizen. Born in Brooklyn, he grew up in Manhattan and studied at Cathedral College before entering Maryknoll in 1949. He is survived by his brother, James Sammon, of Seattle, Wash., and his sister, Eileen Sammon, of Ossining. A Funeral Mass was offered June 14 in Portezuelo, where he will be buried. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Maryknoll Society Center in Ossining at a later date.