Richard J. Biscardi, 45, Internet technology innovator

Richard J. Biscardi, 45, of Jim Thorpe, Pa., an Internet technology innovator and Philadelphia native, died Friday, Nov. 13, of injuries sustained in an auto accident in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.

Mr. Biscardi was alone in his car just before 8 p.m. when the vehicle left the right side of Behrens Road and struck a tree, according to state police at Lehighton. No other cars were involved. The accident was under investigation.

Born in 1970, Mr. Biscardi, known as "Richie," grew up in the shadow of Veterans Stadium in South Philadelphia and lived in the city until moving to Jim Thorpe this summer. He graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School in 1988.

He earned a bachelor's degree in sports medicine from East Stroudsburg University. Mr. Biscardi was one of the pioneers in the use of boxing as the core mechanism for athletic training.

He founded one of the region's first boxing athletic training facilities, Better Health Through Boxing, based on that principal.

During the 2000s, Mr. Biscardi switched course and built a successful IT architecture, development, and design firm.

The firm serviced the market research industry, strengthening client relationships through the development and improvement of some of the industry's innovative products.

His signature achievement was the creation of the SAMS system, which put key elements of the market research process on the Internet for firms around the country.

As his next project, Mr. Biscardi founded the Opinion Room in 2014. The room removed the need for actual focus groups in some market research by assembling online pools of survey respondents.

In 12 months under his leadership, the Opinion Room built an online community of nearly 50,000 participants. "He leaves a legacy of market research projects underway for some of the most widely respected firms in the industry," his family said.

While his achievements in industry were significant, his contributions to the personal lives of relatives were perhaps most appreciated, his family said.

Building on the knowledge he gained from his sports medicine degree, Mr. Biscardi helped family members deal with medical problems.

One of the notable times was when his youngest brother, Paul, had struggled for months with an unknown illness. Mr. Biscardi researched the case and ultimately settled on a diagnosis of Cushing syndrome.

"This enabled the hiring of specialists who went on to cure the disease and save his brother's life," his family said.

In another case, Mr. Biscardi's niece was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease at 2 years of age. He was present at the hospital for every surgery. So dedicated was he to her welfare that he named his market research tool in her honor.

Mr. Biscardi was described as fun, strong, committed, loyal, and fearless. His family described him as "a hilarious and devoted son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend."

"Of everything, the biggest loss will be at holiday time," said his brother, Ron. "There wasn't a holiday where he didn't have us all in stitches."

Besides his brothers, he is survived by his parents, Guy and Lorraine; a brother, Gaeton; a sister, Valerie; two nieces and six nephews; and a longtime friend, Kellie Danser.

A celebration of life is to be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia Stadium, 900 Packer Ave. Those who attend should enter through the Darien Street lobby. A memorial service follows at 11 a.m. Interment is private.

Donations may be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltsburg Rd., Suite 201, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15239, or via www.umdf.org.

bcook@phillynews.com

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CORRECTION: This story has been corrected from an earlier version that misspelled the name of Kellie Danser.