Richard T. Bergeron

Richard T. Bergeron, 81, of Sanford, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Born on the 4th of July, 1936, to Evariste and Aurore Bergeron, Richard's 8 older siblings liked to tease that the town of Sanford celebrated Richard and his twin sister Rachel's arrival with a grand parade which has continued every year since! Richard attended St. Ignatius School in Sanford and graduated from St. Anselm's College in Manchester, NH in 1958. Soon after, he was drafted to serve in the Army and was stationed in Germany as a Chaplain's assistant followed with his serving in the National Guard. After his military service ended, he married Marie Bernard from Springvale and moved to Massachusetts, where he worked in advertising at the William Carter Company, and started his family with the arrival of his three daughters. Richard loved to tell the story of finally being allowed in the delivery room for the arrival of his fourth child in 1976 where he was able to ensure there were no switches made at birth and he finally had a son! In 1971, Richard returned with his family to Sanford and joined his brother Maurice in the family's retail shoe business. Soon after taking over Bergeron's Shoe Store, the economy had a downturn and he began what was to be the first of many transformations of the business in order to survive the decline of small retail shops. His most treasured memories are when his wife, Marie, his son, Thomas, and his grandson, Matthew, all became Certified Pedorthists and worked by his side. He also enjoyed working with his daughters, nieces and nephews throughout the years.Richard possessed a strong sense of civic duty and served in many capacities, including as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce, Waban, Goodall Library and Goodall Hospital. He was a proud member, and past President of the Sanford Rotary Club, to name a few.Richard's deep belief in his faith and in the values of Catholic Education led him on a mission as one of the founders of St. Thomas School in Sanford. He worked joyfully on the school's behalf for decades.He leaves behind his loving and dedicated wife of 56 years, Marie, who was his sole caregiver for so many years. He also leaves his daughters and their families; Denise Quint and her husband, Bruce of Gorham, ME and their children, Erin Christiansen of Denver, CO, Whitney Quint and her son, Trenton of Westbrook, ME and Ryan Quint and his wife, Joanna, of Fredericksburg, VA, Celine Patton and her husband Kenneth of Princeton, MA and their children, Matthew Bertrand and his girlfriend Michelle and her son Tyler of Winthrop, ME, Elizabeth Bertrand of Waxhaw, NC, Nicholas Bertrand of Charlotte, NC, Luke Patton and great-granddaughter Jayla Bertrand of Princeton, MA, and Yvonne Prudente and her husband Joseph and their children Corinne and Mark of Glastonbury, CT. He also leaves his twin sister Rachel Belanger and her husband Norman, his sister, Sr. Claire Bergeron, many nieces and nephews, and dear family friend Nancy Hussey.Richard was predeceased by his beloved son, Thomas Richard Bergeron, his brothers, Robert and Maurice, his sisters, Lucille Roy, Estelle Gagne, Gertrude Berard, Sr. Berthe Bergeron, and Therese Bergeron, and his nephews John Bergeron and Michael Belanger.The family would like to thank Sue Smith who provided such compassionate care to Richard in the mornings this past year.Visiting hours for Richard will be held on Friday, June 8th from 5 to 7PM at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street, Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday June 9th at 11AM at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church, 10 Payne Street, Springvale. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to St. Thomas School, 69 North Avenue, Sanford, ME 04073.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com