Richard R. Bertrand Sr.

MILLBURY – Richard R Bertrand Sr., 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 3, one day shy of his 90th birthday.

He leaves a son Dick Bertrand Jr. of Shrewsbury, and a daughter Cindy Paquette and her partner Rob Maynard of Millbury.  He also leaves five grandchildren, Nicholas Paquette of Northborough, Derek Paquette and his partner Megan Shelley of Millbury, Ashley Prescott and her husband Josh of Worcester, Nicole Bertrand of Ft. Lauderdale FL., and Danielle Bertrand of Shrewsbury.  He also leaves his four great grandchildren, Richard, Kelsie, Carson and Bently; as well as nephews Tim Donovan and his wife Donna of Millbury, Steve Hayes and his wife Janet of Millbury and niece Lori Lyver and her husband Mike of Grafton.

He is predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Colleen who passed in 1993, an infant daughter Catherine Bertrand and his sisters Shirley Donovan and Lorraine Hayes.  He is also predeceased by his later in life special friends June Butler and Wilfreda “Willie” Potts.

Richard was born in Worcester, son of Raymond T. and Dorothy M. (Loranger) Bertrand.  He graduated from Millbury Memorial High School and earned an associate degree in electrical engineering from Worcester Junior College.  He was an Air Force veteran, proudly serving during the Korean conflict.  He was a former member of Clearview Country Club and the Millbury “Old Gang”.  In 2022 he was proud to be selected as the “Honored Old Timer”.

Richard put his experience and schooling to good use for over 30 years as the Operations Manager at Alden Electronics in Westborough.  He previously worked at Wyman-Gordan in North Grafton.

Richard was known as the “gentleman”.  Always one with a smile and nary a bad word.  As he aged, and dementia settled in, he became quite the rascal… much to the amusement and occasional embarrassment of his family. He was the consummate family man… generous, loving and a beacon of light to many, particularly Cindy and Dick Jr.  He was a great dad, husband, son, brother, grandfather, and uncle.  He particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was a regular fixture at their sporting, dance, and musical events.  Best of all, he found solace and peace at his and Colleen’s 51-year lakeside home on Dorothy Pond… except for all the sticks and leaves he had to pick up each fall.  His life was rewarding yet simple, unspectacular until you notice that the whole well-exceeded the sum of the parts.  In that, his life’s journey shone as bright as the sun and left the largest of voids in all our hearts.

Jerrica Hassan, LPN at Southgate’s Hampton Suites, best captured the essence of Richard… “Your dad will be greatly missed by all of us here at Southgate. He made such an impact on everyone here and was very loved.  Dad was one of a kind and as for me I will never forget Mr. Richard Raymond Bertrand.  Most of us are feeling such a big hole in our hearts as he was typically the first person EVERYONE went to see as they began their shift.  I always stopped in his room before going anywhere else and would check to see if he was in there and wanted to come to dinner or activities.  All the CNA’s loved dad, no matter if he gave them a hard time or it was a good day, he ALWAYS said thank you to them for their help.”

The family would like to thank the staff at Hampton Suites and Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation for their excellent care for Richard. We are forever grateful.

Services are private at the request of the family. Should you wish to remember Richard, a charitable donation may be made to Golden Huggs Rescue, Inc. (goldenhuggs.org).