Richard Paul Crandall, 79, of Zephyrhills departed this life on October 19th, 2016 at the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills. He was born on December 12th, 1936, in Leonardsville, New York. He was the eldest son of Paul and Irene ( Roberts) Crandall. He was educated in New York state and earned his BS degree there as well. On October 14th, 1956, Richard married the love of his life, Joan Marie Elliott. He was an electrician and employed by T.H.Green Electric for many years. Upon moving to Florida with his family in 1976, Richard became a licensed insurance agent with National Standard Life Insurance. He was very successful and won many awards and accolades. He obtained his electrical license in Florida in 1993 and he and his son, Stephen, established their own electrical business, Richard Crandall Electric. His son, Stephen continued the business when Richard retired fourteen years ago. Richard was a member of the United Methodist Church in Leonardsville, New York and became a Baptist when the family moved to Florida. He was a member of the choir and loved to sing. Richard also enjoyed numerous hobbies which included skeet shooting, snowmobiling, bowling, golfing and fishing. Richard planted a rose garden for his wifes enjoyment when she became disabled. He will always be remembered for the breathtaking rose garden that he tended to. He considered the rose garden to be his "ministry" and he blessed hundreds of people in the community with a visit and a bouquet. Richard and Joan were true soulmates and enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Richard was predeceased by Joan as she passed away on June 27th, 2016. Richard was an extremely dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was loved, cherished and respected greatly by all of his family. He is survived by his brother, Lawrence A. Crandall and his wife Brenda, his daughter, Elizabeth (Crandall) Parent, and her husband, George, of Clearwater, his son , Stephen H. Crandall and his fiancee, Jennie Boyd, of Zephyrhills and his daughter and loyal caregiver, Catherine E., and her husband, Michael A. Hussey, of Zephyrhills. Her grandchildren, Elisia (Rickard) Briscoe of Wesley Chapel, Zachary A. Rickard and his fiancee, Brooke Habel of Clearwater, Katy (Crandall) Beddingfield and her husband, Blake, of Eatonton, Georgia, and Kari E. Crandall and her fiance, Christopher Bradshaw of Eatonton, Georgia, his great grandchildren, Chandler and Carisma Briscoe, Kalli and Blakely Beddingfield and Lauren Brooke Rickard, that was just born on Oct.14th, Richard and Joans anniversary. A Celebration of Richard and Joans lives will be held on Saturday, November 5th, 2016 at Hodges Funeral Home, 36327 Highway 54, Zephyrhills, Florida, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Internment will be on Monday, November 7th, 2016, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. The family requests that any donations be made to Gulfside Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills for the extraordinary care that they provide.