Joseph Robert Richard

Joseph Robert (Joe) Richard, 90, of Littleton, New Hampshire, died at St. John Medical Center, Westlake, Ohio Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015 with his family by his side. He and his wife, Audrey had moved to Ohio to be near their daughter in December. He was born in 1924 in Lawrence, Mass. to Edna Buote and Sylvere Richard and moved to Exeter, New Hampshire in 1925. He attended Hall Place Elementary, St. Michael’s School in Exeter and graduated from Exeter High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 as a turret gunner in TBM torpedo bombers AOM3C. He graduated with a B.A. in Languages from the University of New Hampshire in 1950 and from Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada with a Masters Degree in French Literature in 1951.

After brief stints at Phillips Petroleum Company in Texas and Edgecomb Motor Sales in Exeter, New Hampshire as comptroller, he began his career in banking at the Citizens National Bank in Tilton, NH where he was cashier and a member of the Board of Directors. In 1965 he moved to Littleton National Bank, Lafayette National Bank and Indian Head Bank North where he was Executive Vice-President, President and Chairman of the Board until 1988. Not ready to retire, Joe became a securities broker in Littleton for Securities Corp. of Iowa from 1991-2001.

He was active in the community serving on numerous boards. He was a board member of the White Mountain Community Services, Littleton Improvement Association and treasurer, the New Hampshire School Building Authority as a board member for 18 years and Chairman for 13 years, North Country Home Health and Hospice as Board Member. He also served on the Littleton Water & Light Board, The Willows Advisory Board and the Friendship House Board.

Joe was a Renaissance man with a keen intellect many interests and talents. He was an artist specializing in oil painting and a sculptor. He had completed over 400 works of art. He loved the game of golf, getting his first ace just a few years ago and very recently enjoyed playing 9 with his daughter and grandson, Brian. Classical music and reading were also part of his daily life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his son David Harrison Richard and his brother, Theodore. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Higgins, his daughter, Linda (Tom) Waitrovich of Westlake, Ohio and five grandchildren: Kayla, Kevin and Brian Waitrovich of Westlake and Matthew and Michael Richard and his daughter-in-law Maureen of Epping New Hampshire. He is also survived by two brothers, John Valmore (Arlene), of Somersworth, NH and James (Sheila) of Hilton Head, S.C., as well as many nieces and nephews. The following written by his granddaughter, Kayla, says it all: Late Tuesday night we all lost a friend. My Poppa Joe never encountered any strangers, just friends he had not yet met. He is the most brilliant man I have ever known. He was a financier, a painter, a golfer, a veteran, a linguist, a philosopher, but most importantly, a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He may have been able to quote Shakespeare without batting an eye, but he had humble tastes. He loved to have a Budweiser as he cheered on his beloved Red Sox (or for some reason the Browns). Maybe now with your guidance from above we can lock down a Super Bowl win for you. Joseph Robert Richard lived an amazing, vibrant, and spirited 91 years. We will miss you dearly. [1924 – 2015]

Visitation will be from 6-8pm at Ross Funeral Home in Littleton, NH on August 18 and services at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Littleton August 19 at 11:00 am. Those who wish may make donations in memory of Joseph R. Richard to All Saints Episcopal Church, 35 School St. Littleton, NH 03561 or Friendship House, 2957 Main St. Bethlehem, NH 03574. 

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