Joseph F Richard

Joseph F. Richard, 89, of Leicester, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2020, in the peaceful surroundings of his home on Burncoat Pond.  His loving wife of sixty-four years, Doris C. (Lemay) Richard, predeceased him in October 2017.  He is also reunited with a granddaughter, Dawn Michaud, who predeceased them both in 2014.

Joe was born in Mexico, Maine, and was one of fourteen children born to the late, Camille and Leonie (Thibodeau) Richard and was raised in Maine and in Worcester.  Joe was a proud Veteran of the Korean Conflict and wore his special hat everywhere.

Joe worked in the forging department at Wyman-Gordon Company for over forty-five years, before retiring.  That’s when he and Doris began travelling and spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was a great handyman and could fix or build anything.

Beside his family, his greatest pastime was driving his pontoon boat around Burncoat Pond and was always willing to give anyone a “free ride”, sometimes even letting them “take the wheel”.  He was affectionately known as “The Mayor of Burncoat Pond” and Popeye”. 

He loved making people laugh, and always had the right joke for any situation.  He also enjoyed playing cards, which became a daily ritual, especially at bedtime.  He was fearless in the eyes of many; he tried parasailing, ski jumped in Colorado, loved to ski and had no problem lacing up some skates to skate around the pond.

He was a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.  He will be especially missed by his son, Joseph Richard, Jr. and his wife Linda of Worcester; three daughters, Denise Michaud and Cecile Collier of Worcester, and Annette Richard-Sessa and her husband John in Florida; a son-in-law, David Collier of Marshfield; nine grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.  His dear friends and neighbors, who were like family to him, Mike Tivnan and Valerie Thompson, will also miss Joe.

There are no calling hours and a “Celebration of Life” will be held when restrictions on gatherings are lifted.

Joe’s family has entrusted MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL.