Richard Lemieux

Richard Larry Lemieux, 86, Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief illness on Sunday, (The Lord’s day) January 17, 2021, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

Richard was born on November 5, 1934, the third son of Edgar and Marie (Jean) Lemieux, in Methuen, MA., and a few years later welcomed his sister into the family. However, as a young boy, he would lose his mother at the age of 6, and his father at the age of 8.  He and his brothers were adopted by Exilia Sirois, and lived in Massachusetts until he graduated from Central Catholic High School in Methuen, MA in 1953.

Following in his brothers Roland and Robert’s footsteps, Richard joined the United States Navy and served 2 years; afterwards enlisting rather in the United States Air Force. He served as a Radar Technician stateside in North Dakota, Mississippi, and New York, before being deployed to service abroad in Korea. Upon his return, he was again stationed in Mississippi a total of 5 intermittent times, moving from there to Vermont, Minnesota, Alaska, and finally North Dakota.

While stationed at the radar base in Finley, ND, in 1956, Richard met Marie Jeannette Kloster, the love of his life, at a community dance hall.  After refusing his first dance offer, (her father cautioned her about those military men) she then accepted his second.  They soon were married on January 26, 1957 in Finley, ND.  Together they raised Greg, Michele, and Renee in a very loving, simple, meticulous, and overly organized home.  Often moving every other year to serve in various states, the family’s favorite place was in St. Albans, Vt., enjoying several close friendships there, even staying connected with many friends for over 50 years.  While there, Richard faithfully served in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal society gifting/contributing/providing financial aid to members and their families, in addition to  promoting educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, and public relief efforts.

After 20 years of military service in the Air Force, Dad embarked on civilian life in 1975, landing a job in West Fargo as Building and Grounds Director for the West Fargo Public Schools from 1975-1980, organizing and maintaining the 11 school building properties and boiler rooms, as well as supervising custodial personnel.  He loved every minute he worked there, again forming several lasting relationships.

Dad never really retired.  His additional occupations after leaving the schools were as Park Company realtor, insurance agent, computer service business owner, and Stein Chemical salesman and service representative, often traveling within a five-state area.  In his real retirement years, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking (making several keepsakes for us kids), attending grandchildren’s music and sporting events with Mom, meticulously grooming his yard in West Fargo where he proudly displayed the United States flag, and finally in later years won the coveted Yard of the Month sign from the City of West Fargo.  Dad was a proud West Fargo Packer fan.  He also was an avid lifelong Green Bay Packer, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics fan.  He even owned stock in the Packer franchise, which he proudly displayed at home.  He also would record on VHS every Packer game and relive each win, and rerecord on the games they lost.  He once purchased a piece of grass turf from Lambeau Field as a keepsake, and then stored it in our downstairs freezer.  Not sure why, but we had it there for over 10 years.

We all will miss him dearly.  He bestowed upon us that being with family was most important thing in life, and we saw that he cherished Marie.  He did anything and everything for her, and loved her deeply.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of nearly 64 years, Marie Lemieux, Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo, ND;  Greg (Diana) Lemieux, West Fargo, ND;  daughters Michele (Gary) Weaver, Jamestown, ND;  Renee (Joe) Gaughan, Moorhead, MN;  sister JoAnne Crochetiere, Litchfield, New Hampshire;  grandchildren Taylor and Carly Lemieux, West Fargo, ND;  Corey Weaver, Grand Forks, ND;  Kali (Matt) Payne, Fargo, ND; Andrew Gaughan and fiancé Ashley Belz, Moorhead, MN;  Ashley Gaughan, Beemer, NE;  Brianna (David) Rodgers, St. Paul, MN;  Ben (Ally) Gaughan, Fargo, ND; great grandchildren Cassius Richard Gaughan, Eowynn Briar Rodgers, Emma Marie Payne, and Baby Gaughan, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Marie Lemieux, and brothers Roland and Robert Lemieux.

The family wishes to thank all in attendance today.  We also want you to treasure the memories you have of our Dad, husband, Brother, Grandpa, colleague, neighbor, and friend.  “Go Packers!” - Dick

Funeral:  10 a.m. Friday, January 22, 2021, at West Funeral Home in West Fargo.

Visitation:  5 to 7 pm  followed by a 7 p.m.  Time of Sharing  Thursday at the West Funeral Home.

The service will be recorded and  available on Richard’s web page Friday afternoon.

Covid-19 regulation will be followed.  Masks are required.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Lemieux, please visit our floral store.