Obituary of Robert Richard

Robert H. Richard, retired owner of R.H. Richard Construction passed away after a long illness at his home on Saturday night, February 16, 2013. Hours prior, he had celebrated his 80th birthday with his family. Bob was born in Somerville, the son of the late Joseph and Lydia (Arseneault). He grew up and was educated in Wilmington. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US. Navy to fight in the Korean War. He served from January of 1951 to January of 1954 aboard the USS Palau. The USS Palau was a Commencement Bay class escort carrier serving the Second Fleet. He received the National Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, and Navy Occupation Service Medal. He was extremely proud of his service to his country and being a crew member of the Palau. Bob started as a carpenter with Advanced Construction in Somerville. He eventually founded R.H. Richard Construction which he ran for 50 years. He focused primarily on Residential construction and remodeling, but did some commercial construction including building a hockey arena in Wilmington. He took great pride in his workmanship and treating his clients fairly. He taught his sons how to be carpenters and was proud to pass on to his son, Bob, the business he founded and tirelessly worked. Bob was a resident of Burlington for the past 47 years. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW and Woburn Moose. Bob was the type of person who was always on the go. He always working on some project or helping out one of his children, neighbors or friends. Family time and vacations were especially important to Bob. Family vacations evolved from boating on his cabin cruiser to camping trips, and 24 years on Mousam Lake in Shapleigh, Maine, and finally cruises. He had flower and vegetable gardens at his homes in Burlington and Shapleigh where he would spend hours cultivating his plants, and then giving away much of his harvests. He was a big Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins fan. He enjoyed fishing and clamming. He also enjoyed an occasional trip to one of the local casinos. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic and his commitment to his family and friends. Bob was the beloved husband of 52 years of Janice E. (Ingersoll) Richard. He was the loving father of Brenda Anderson of Burlington, Robert Richard, Jr. of Wilmington, James Richard of Dracut, John Richard of N. Billerica, and Cheryl Green & her husband Dave of Reading. He was the brother of Dorothy Gilgun & her husband the Honorable Fredrick Gilgun of Woburn, Earl Richard & his wife Joyce of San Diego, CA, Pauline Conlin & her husband Richard of Methuen, and the late Leonard Richard. He was a very proud grandfather of Jason, Alisha, Melissa, Jeffrey, Anthony, Briana, Jennifer, Jonathan, Amanda, and the late Stephen. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Bob’s name may be made to Beacon Hospice, 529 Main St., Suite 126, Boston, MA 02129. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or www.saintmargaretschurch.net