Eric J. Richard

Eric J. Richard, 88, of Gardner, died peacefully Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT.

Born in Saint-Ignace, New Brunswick, Canada, on February 21, 1935, he was the son of the late Albert and Leocadie (Bordage) Richard. Eric worked for Fitchburg Paper Company as a Color Matcher for 20 years until his retirement in 2000.  

Eric was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish of Gardner, practicing at its Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. He was a member of Acadien Social Club, the Gardner Senior Center, and the Gardner Chapter of AARP. He was a strings player, both guitar and fiddle, loving both blue grass, and country music. Eric enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, and taking trips to Canada. He was an avid fan of his Boston Red Sox and a fisherman, fishing both fresh and salt water with his grandchildren. Eric had a very upbeat contagious sense of humor that will be deeply missed. He was very involved in his grandchildren Sadie, and Izic’s upbringing. He was very proud of Sadie for enlisting in the United States Navy.

Eric is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alphonsine (Gallant) Richard, of Gardner; one daughter, Sandra M. Richard, of Gardner; one son, Allen J. Richard and his wife Christie, of Gardner; three grandchildren, Jamie Hippler, Sadie Richard, and Izic French; two sisters, Rita Daigle, of Dieppe, N.B., Canada and Alma Daigle, of Moncton, N.B., Canada; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by one sister, Jeanne Gallant; five brothers, Delphis, Alfred, Elmo, Elzie, and Lionel Richard.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 22, 2023, from the Boucher Funeral Home Inc. 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA with a Mass at 11:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA.  

Calling Hours will be held Friday, December 22, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Holy Family Academy, 99 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Eric J. Richard.