Ovila Richard

Ovila “Ovie” Richard, 70, of Zephyrhills, FL, formerly of Gardner, died peacefully Friday, July 13, 2018 in his residence, surrounded by family, following a long illness.

                Ovila was born in St. Anthony, N.B. Canada on April 14, 1948, the son of the late Joseph and Doris (LeBlanc) Richard.

                He was a United States Vietnam War Marine Veteran, serving from 1966 though 1969. During his service years he received the Rifle Marksman Badge, Piston Sharpshooter Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. In 1969 Oliva received his GED while in the service.                                                                                                                                            

                He was employed by Haartz Corporation of Acton, Massachusetts for 25 years, retiring in 2004.

Ovila was a member of Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner and St. Joseph’s Church in Zephyrhills, Fl.

He enjoyed golfing, cooking, traveling and playing darts. He was a talented carpenter who enjoyed spending time working on his home. Ovila was an avid sports fan, especially of the Montreal Canadians and the New York Yankees. He loved spending time with his family.

Ovila leaves his wife of 47 years, Lucienne (Allain) Richard of Zephyrhills, FL; two sons, Danny Richard and his wife Sainan of Westborough, and Timmy Richard of Gardner; one daughter, Lisa Flowers and her husband John of Fitchburg; two brothers, Normand Richard and his wife Louise of Gardner and Gerald Richard of Gardner; seven sisters, Francine Boudreau and her husband Claude of Gardner, Ella Jones of Baldwinville, Bernice Legere and her husband Norman of Gardner, Rita Hache and her husband Ronnie of Zephyrhills, FL, Bernadette Nowlan and her husband Bernie of Gardner, Edith LeBlanc and her husband Leo of Leominster and Yvette Fontaine and her husband Alison of Gardner; six grandchildren, Ashlyn and Darius Flowers, Ethan, Alexianna, Camden and Landen Richard; three great-grandchildren; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Marie Perreault who died in 2003.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 19, 2018 from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner. Burial with full military honors will be held at a later date in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Inc., 268 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440, or to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. Please reference in memory of Ovila Richard.