George Richard

George Oliver Richard, of Wakefield, died Friday December 18 at the Kindred Hospital in Peabody.

Born in Salem on December 20, 1931 he was the son of the late Oliver and Yvonne (Lamontagne) Richard.

Mr. Richard was raised in Salem, MA and had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He had been a resident of Wakefield since 1957 and was a devoted member and active volunteer of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish of Wakefield. Mr. Richard had worked for the Wakefield D.P.W. in the Highway Department before retiring.

George "Red" frequently greeted strangers with an open heart and never hesitated to help those in need. He was a faithful friend of St. Joseph, Brother Andre and the Wonder Man of Mount Royal.

George was a devout fan of the Patriots and Red Sox whether they were winning or losing, enjoyed playing cribbage, harmonizing with Eleanor, singing in the church choir, entering and winning dance competitions, watching old cowboy and war movies on TV, opening the Most Blessed Sacrament before daily mass, and also counting the money on Sundays, leading the rosary with his friends at St. Joseph's Church, calling Bingo at his Broadway apartment complex and most recently, eating lobsters and attending the Ceilidh Music concerts with his friend Mary and her family in Prince Edward Island Canada.

Mr. Richard was the husband of the late Eleanor (Seabury) Richard. He was the father and stepfather of "the Girls" Michelle Stracener and her husband Curtis of Carriere, MS, Carole Companeschi of Wakefield, Claire MacDonald and Karen MacDonald and her husband Vic Pohju all of Tamworth, NH. He was the brother of Aline Bentham and her husband Robert of Haverhill, Robert and his wife Denise of Chandler, AZ, Roger and his wife Dorothy of Danvers, Raymond and his wife Diane of Tewksbury and Betty Rogers and her husband George of Salem. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Mr. Richard is predeceased by his sisters Theresa Richard and Jeannette Beaupre and also his brothers Jean, Roland and Paul Richard. He is also survived by his special friend and "sweetheart" Mary Arsenau and his best friend Bob Tremblay.

Funeral from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave. Wakefield on Wednesday at 9 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass in the Most Blessed Sacrament Church 1155 Main St. Wakefield at 10 o'clock. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, from 4 – 8 p.m. Interment will be at Forest Glade Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in George's name may be made to the Salvation Army, 209 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906.

Read George Richard's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Visitation

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave.
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Service

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish
Intersection of Grove and Salem Streets
Lynnfield , MA US 01940
Wednesday, December 23, 2009, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Service

Most Blessed Sacrament Church
1155 Main Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Wednesday, December 23, 2009,

Cemetery

Forest Glade Cemetery
Lowell Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Wednesday, December 23, 2009, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM