In high school, Richard was a long distance runner and earned several awards. He won the Staten Island 6 mile championship and reported that he won because his mother fed him pasta. Richard was also a young student entomologist and collected over 300 beetles. He joined the Army in 1939 and eventually served as the lead scout with the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion and the 5th Army. Richard was chosen to be the best 5th Army scout. He fought in North Africa, Italy, France and Belgium. He took part in the Anzio Campaign at the Volturno, and earned the Bronze Star. Richard earned the Purple Heart and Silver Star in the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in the left elbow in the Ardennes on Dec. 29, 1944, and was evacuated to England.
Richard met and married his beloved wife Louise Cechetti on Dec. 8, 1944, the day of the Immaculate Conception, in the Church of Notre Dame in Nice, France. Richard stayed in touch with his Army comrades for many years.
Richard joined the New York City Fire Department in 1949. He served as a lieutenant firefighter for 20 years and retired in 1969. He traveled to France often with is wife and son, Richard. He was made an honorary citizen of Saint Tropez, France.
Richard is the author of his autobiography “Our Lives Will Be Beautiful” published in 2011.
He is survived by his son, Richard and his wife Barbara and grandchildren, Vera and Ralph; his caregiver, Jolene Arsenault, as well as many friends and relatives.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Demers- Desmond Funeral Home, 34 Cushing St., Brunswick, Maine. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, Dec. 23, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, Pleasant Street, Brunswick.
Richard will be buried with his wife in their family caveau in Caucada, France. As Richard knew and said: “Life is not devoid of struggle, but if you allow it to, it can be beautiful.”
With many thanks to Mary Lou and all the nursing staff at HillHouse for all the great and loving work they did.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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