ALFRED, ME-Richard W. Drapeau, 69, of Forest Road., Alfred, ME and formerly of Dale Avenue, Auburn, MA died Friday, Nov. 22 in his home after being stricken ill.
He leaves his wife of 46 years, Bernadine (Slein) Drapeau; three sons, Paul E. Drapeau of Auburn, MA, Mark P. andDavid J. Drapeau both of Cherry Valley, MA; two grandsons and two granddaughters.
He was born in Melrose, MA the son of Harris J. and Jane E. (Lomas) Drapeau and grew up in the Cherry Valley section of Leicester. He attended Leicester schools, graduated from St. John's High School, Worcester abd the Leicester Junior College, Leicester. He lived in Auburn for 41 years and vacationed at his home in Alfred before moving there permanently 2 weeks ago.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and served for two years in Germany.
Mr. Drapeau worked as a special investigator for the Bureau of Special Investigations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 24 years before retiring in 1995. Previously, he worked in managemnet for the trucking industry for several years.
He was a former member of St. Joseph's Parish in Auburn and was a member of the Southern Massachusetts Police Association. He was a former coach for Auburn Youth Hockey and was active with the Auburn Little League where he had served as a coach and umpire.
His funeral will be held on Tuesday, November 26 from the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central St. (www.brittonfuneralhomes.com) Auburn, MA with a Mass at 11 AM in St. Joseph's Church, 189 Oxford St., Auburn. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Auburn.A calling hour will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 9:30-10:30 AM.
Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph's Church Building Fund, 194 Oxford St North, Auburn, MA 01501.