Gerard R. Richard

FITCHBURG: Gerard R. Richard, 89, of Fitchburg, died Friday, May 10, 2024 at UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester. Jerry was born in Fitchburg, August 27, 1934, the son of Edward and Anna (LeBlanc) Richard. He was a lifelong resident of Fitchburg. He attended Fitchburg High School and later earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fitchburg State University. Jerry served in the U.S. Army in Texas at the end of the Korean War. For 35 years he engaged generations of students as a committed history and social science teacher at Lunenburg High School, where he also coached cross country as well as other sports over the years. In retirement, he remained an educator at heart and always a loving and attentive friend. In earlier days, he was a gifted athlete and later a passionate and outspoken fan of all Boston professional teams, although he was always partial to the Boston Red Sox. He loved his wife Shirley and his two sons with all his heart. He would cherish visits from his kids, grandkids, relatives and friends but especially the little ones. Jerry loved playing games from Pichenotte to Uno and telling stories about his life. He enjoyed visiting his late brother Walter’s farm in Plainfield and his son, Gerard’s, home in York, Maine. Jerry is survived by a son Gerard E. Richard and his partner David J. Chavolla; three grandchildren, John Richard, Constance Richard Bradford and Kathryn Richard Coporale; and seven great grandchildren, Jack and Elise Richard; Mara, Isla and William Bradford, and Ana and Maisley Coporale. He was grateful to his caregivers, Jennifer, Diana and Debbie for their care and many acts of kindness through the years. He also leaves his two cats Teka and Tabitha who provided him great comfort at home. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Shirley (Leger) Richard and dear son, Gary E. Richard. He was also the brother of the late Rudolph Richard, Walter Richard, Eileen Richard, Sarah Sandrowski, Anita Pouliot and Therese Guazzo. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Friday May 17th at St. Joseph’s Church, 49 Woodland Street, Fitchburg. A visitation period will be held Friday, May 17th from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg. www.andersonfuneral.com Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Richard’s name to the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats, Lunenburg, MA 01462.

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Gerard R. Richard

August 27, 1934 - May 10, 2024