Richard Jude Gerard Michaud

Richard Jude Gerard Michaud, of Sanford, ME, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.

He was born on August 23, 1935 in Madawaska, ME to Mary Ann (Cyr) and Wilfred Michaud. The family moved to Springvale, ME when Richard was five years old and spoke only French.

Richard graduated from Sanford High school in 1953, where his excellent athleticism led to his being captain of both the football and basketball teams. He served as a quartermaster in the Army for two years as a Private First Class and, despite no prior experience, he won an Army boxing championship. He then trained as a machinist at SMVTI for two years. After this, he was proud to note his employment at Hamilton Standard, where he helped craft the propellers for President Eisenhower’s personal aircraft, the Columbine. He worked as an Engineering Technician at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 31 years, drafting technical designs for nuclear submarines.

He was devoted to God, family, and his country, always putting others before himself and staying true to his word. Richard lived a life of service; he was faithful as a citizen, employee, husband, and father. True to his generation, he was no stranger to hard physical work and unafraid to perform work that others would find ungratifying.

He was a kind man who lived an uncomplicated life. Having lived through many wars, he was a student of military history and was fascinated by any book that further explained either the Civil War or World War 2. Though he loved music and had a beautiful voice, you would only ever hear him sing in church. Quiet and reserved, he appreciated people for who they were, tending to see the best in people. A very likeable person, he was remembered by all he met.

He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Annette (Gagnon); son James Michaud and his wife Michelle; son Daniel and his wife Susan; daughter Sharon (Michaud) Quintiliani and her husband Gary; grandchild Paul Michaud and his wife Dahlia (Seggelin), daughter Charlotte and daughter Betsy; grandchildren Isobel Michaud, Andrew Michaud, Anthony Quintiliani and his fiancé Courtney Cabral, Isaac Michaud, Lauren Quintiliani, Alex Michaud, Jared Quintiliani, Olivia Michaud, Eloise Michaud, and Luke Michaud – to whom he was affectionately known as “Peps” – and Richard’s sister Gloria (Michaud) Soucy and her family.

Richard is predeceased by his mother Mary Ann (Cyr) Michaud, father Wilfred Michaud, brother Patrick Michaud, and brother Roderick Michaud.

He was an active member of Holy Family / St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish for many decades, where he sang in the choir and was a 24 year Knights of Columbus member. During retirement, he was a 20-year daily volunteer at The Brothers of Christian Instruction on Shaker Hill in Alfred, where he enjoyed helping with both the apple and maple syrup harvests. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the many caregivers who helped Richard on his life journey the past year: Dr. Marco Cornelio, The Lodges Care Center, Summer Commons, Dr. Tayler Gammons, and The Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.

Visiting Hours will be held from 4 to 7 PM, Monday April 28, 2025 at the Black-Heald Walker Funeral Home at 580 Main Street, Springvale, ME 04083. At 7 PM, the family will lead a saying of the rosary for any who wish to participate. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 29 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic Church, 66 North Avenue, Sanford, ME 04073.

To view Richard’s Memorial Page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, Richard’s family encourages donations to Tunnel to Towers, www.t2t.org.