Richard Gosselin (1935-2025)
Richard Gosselin, a longtime resident of Derry and Londonderry, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 2nd at the age of 90 years old. Lovingly remembered as “Dad”, “Boompa”, “Dick”, and “Dickie”, he is survived by his three children: Debra Thompson and her husband Jack of Daytona Beach, FL; Richard Gosselin and his wife Kathy of Chiefland, FL, and Brenda Gillespie and her husband Michael of Mebane, NC; his four grandchildren: Shannon Demers and her husband John of Londonderry, Corrie Aronis and her husband TJ of Hudson, Matthew Gillespie and his wife Amanda of Marlborough, MA, and Allyson Gillespie of Mebane, NC; six great-grandchildren; and his sister Jeanette Oullette of Litchfield. Richard is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Rita (Pellerin), and his brothers Leo Gosselin, Norman Gosselin, and Robert Gosselin.
Richard was born to the late Ludovic and Winifred (Bergeron) Gosselin on May 1, 1935 in Berlin, NH, but spent most of his early years in Lawrence, MA. He married Rita Pellerin on April 6, 1958 in Methuen, MA and would move the family to Derry some years later. Dick worked for many years in the Boston-area construction trades as a scaffolder, but his true calling was the craft of furniture upholstery.
With his wife Rita, they operated RG Upholstery from their home on Mammoth Road in Londonderry for over 30 years – restoring beautiful antique Victorian-era chairs, couches, lounges, and countless other fine furniture pieces. Together, they built a reputation for craftsmanship that would have them highly sought by antique collectors and other discerning customers throughout southern New Hampshire.
Boompa was also an avid fisherman who shared that joy with his kids and grandkids, and could often be found posing with a large-mouth bass somewhere along Beaver Lake.
Richard’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Pleasant Valley Nursing Center for the excellent care they gave Dad in his final years.
Following cremation, a graveside memorial service will be held at Pillsbury Cemetery on Hovey Road in Londonderry on October 20th at 10:00am.