WORCESTER – Rev. Joseph F. Richard, A.A., 94, died Sunday at Saint Francis Home.
He leaves his brother Assumptionists.
Born in Bouctouche, New Brunswick (Canada), Joseph Frederick Richard moved with his family to New Bedford, MA as a child and received his elementary education at St. Joseph School in that city. He attended Assumption High School in Worcester, graduating in 1931, and then Assumption College. He entered the Augustinians of the Assumption novitiate in 1940 and did his theology studies at the Grand Seminaire de Quebec. Ordained a priest by Cardinal Villeneuve in 1946, he had a long and varied ministry as teacher at the novitiate, Master of Theologians, Master of Novices, Pastor of Saint Anne’s of Fiskdale, Chaplain at the American Embassy in Moscow, U.S.S.R. (two tours: 1961-1965 and 1971-1976), lecturer, and retreat master. For a few years he also did parish ministry in the Diocese of Fall River, in Nantucket, Swansea, Taunton, Wellfleet, and New Bedford. For the last two years, in failing health, he lived at St. Francis Home, where he received excellent care.
The funeral will be held Wednesday, January 16, at 10:00 AM in Saint Anne/Saint Patrick Church, 16 Church St., Fiskdale, Burial will be in Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Fiskdale. A calling period will be from 9:00 to l0:00 AM Wednesday in the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Assumptionist Vocation Fund, 330 Market St., Brighton, MA 02135. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster.