Great-Uncle Richard

If you noticed my imood, you know that I am sad today. Great-Uncle Richard passed away today at 4:30pm. I appreciate all the prayers that people have said for him. He is finally at peace and no longer in pain. I was lucky because I was able to say goodbye to him today at 3:55pm. I started my morning in Iowa and landed in Providence at 1:20pm, by the time I got to New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center it was 3:30pm. I was in fear the whole day that I would not be able to get there in time to tell Great-Uncle Richard what I had to and say goodbye properly. My prayers were heard and he held on till I was able to say goodbye.

My Great-Uncle Richard was the kindest most generous person I ever met in my life. He’s also a very unselfish and hardworking person. He never forgot a birthday or holiday and took care of all his nieces and nephews and many other people besides. He was a huge fan of the Red Sox, Horse Racing and Golf. And when I was a kid he bought me many of my transformers. He gave me one of my most cherished transformers ever. Wheeljack. Wheeljack was the first Transformer I ever got, from my Grandparents, but I guess Great-Uncle Richard had bought me one too. Anyway it got put in his closet and 15 years later he gave it to me one Christmas, mint condition in the box. My favorite character and in perfect condition. I will always cherish the memories of Great-Uncle Richard’s generosity and gentle spirit. I never heard him raise his voice or say anything bad about anyone. And that is how I will always remember him.

God Bless you Great-Uncle Richard, you will be missed. You touched our lives and made us better people by knowing you.

This is the obituary that was in The Sun Chronicle on Saturday July 16, 2005

Richard A. Belanger, 76

ATTLEBORO — Richard A. Belanger, 76, of South Main Street, Attleboro, died peacefully on July 14, 2005 at the New England Sinai Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton surrounded by the love of his family following a brief illness.

Mr. Belanger was born on June 26, 1929 in Attleboro, and was the son of the late Ernest and Mary Rose (Dusablon) Belanger. He was a graduate of the St. Joseph School in Attleboro and attended Assumption Preparatory School in Worcester for a short time. He was a 1948 graduate of Attleboro High School, having been bestowed the honor of salutatorian.

Immediately after high school graduation, Mr. Belanger began his career at the former General Findings in Attleboro. After three years of employment, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 30, 1951 and served until his honorable discharge on March 29, 1953, having achieved the rank of private first class (T).

Following his military discharge, he returned to work at General Findings, which had become Leach and Garner, and worked until the age of 71, following almost 55 years of service, when he retired as the supervisor of inventory control.

He was a life member of the B.P.O.E. Attleboro Elks Lodge No. 1014.

Mr. Belanger was a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph Church, Attleboro, where he enjoyed volunteering for the church fair for many decades.

An avid golfer and bowler, he had served as the secretary of the General Findings bowling league and golf teams for nearly 30 years.

He enjoyed photography, preferring to take the pictures, rather than being in the object within them. He enjoyed making photograph albums from his pictures after attending weddings and other family celebrations.

Mr. Belanger had several hobbies, but one most notable was his love for thoroughbred horse racing, having had attended the Kentucky Derby on several occasions.

He loved spending time in his vegetable and flower gardens.

He was a very humble, generous man who was dedicated to his loving family.

Mr. Belanger was the proud godfather of many children over the years.

He leaves a sister, Theresa Williams and her husband, Richard F. Williams Sr., of Falmouth and Attleboro; a sister-in-law, Louise Belanger of Naples, Fla., who was married to Ernest Belanger Jr., now deceased; two cousins, Edmond Dusablon of South Attleboro and Myles Dusablon of North Attleboro; three nieces, Denise Bennett and her husband Andrew E. Bennett, Jr. of North Attleboro, Luann Vinson of Falmouth and Darlene Belanger of Attleboro; four nephews, Richard F. Williams Jr. of Attleboro, James A. Williams of Redondo Beach, Calif., Donald Belanger and his wife, Jill Belanger, of South Attleboro and Douglas Belanger and his wife, Krista Belanger, of Naples, Fla.; five great nieces: Tara Bennett-Bristow of North Attleboro, Shelby Bennett of Falmouth; Carissa Williams of Attleboro, Lindsey Vinson of Falmouth and Holly Belanger of South Attleboro; and eight great nephews: Andrew “Drew” Bennett, III of North Attleboro, Shaun Williams of Attleboro, Nicholas Vinson of Falmouth, Adam Belanger and Nathan Belanger, both of South Attleboro, Michael Donlevy of Attleboro and Douglas Belanger and Matthew Belanger, both of Naples, Fla.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation with veteran’s honors on Sunday, July 19, 2005 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the “Commonwealth Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Ave., Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.

A ritual service conducted by the Attleboro Lodge of Elks will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 4:45 p.m. during visitation.

Children’s room is available during visitation.

Those in need of a ride to visitation may call the funeral home at 508-695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such free transportation.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service with veteran’s honors on Monday, July 18, 2005 at 10:45 a.m. from the “Commonwealth Chapel” of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial with military honors at noon at St. Joseph Church, South Main Street, Attleboro, with the Rev. Michael Carvill, pastor, officiating.

A graveside service will be held at St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Attleboro at a later date.

Following services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of refreshment and fellowship at the Attleboro Elks Lodge, 887 South Main St., Attleboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Belanger’s name may be made to the LaSalette Missionaries, Attention: Mr. Michael O’Brien, 947 Park St., A
ttleboro, MA 02703 or to the St. Joseph Church Food Cellar, 208 South Main St., Attleboro, MA 02703.

To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit our on-line guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com. cs175

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. 508-695-0200.