Obituary of Antoine Joseph Richard

Antoine Joseph (Tony) Richard, P.Eng passed away peacefully at the Fredericton Hospice on Sept 26, 2020 after a battle with cancer. He was born June 13, 1935 in St. Charles, NB, the fourth of six children of the late Joseph and Nathalie (Daigle) Richard. A dedicated husband, father and brother, nothing was more important to Tony than family. He will be missed by his loving wife, Nola (Robichaud), who he adored for over 62 years. He was a loving father to his sons, James (Kimberly Watson); Ronald; and Thomas (Helen Dow), all of Fredericton. He adored his granddaughters, Jacquelyn Richard (Jay Lagacé) of Vancouver and Lauren Richard (Chris Turner) of Toronto. He is survived by sister Edith (Losier) of Saint John. His many in-laws, nieces and nephews will remember him dearly. Tony received his early education in Rexton and Richibucto. The first in his family to earn an undergraduate degree, Tony began his studies at Mount Allison University before completing his degree in Civil Engineering at UNB in Fredericton in 1958. A career civil servant, Tony worked his way quickly through the civil service ranks in the NB Department of Transportation, with management posts in Bathurst, Rexton and Fredericton. A key figure in the growth and modernization of the DOT throughout his career, Tony held directorship posts in many DOT branches before retiring as Executive Director of Vehicle Management in 1992. Tony had a great passion for the outdoors and for nearly 70 years enjoyed fishing, hunting and the camaraderie of his friends at the "Kikapoo Lodge" in central New Brunswick. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was well known for always being available to help anyone in need. He and Nola travelled the world, and they especially enjoyed the many cruises they took to the Caribbean with family and friends. But his true home away from home was the family cottage he built in 1962 at Cap Lumiere, NB. The site of many music-filled parties, lobster feasts and family reunions, it will not be the same without him. He was quietly innovative and entrepreneurial, using his weekends to start a Christmas tree company with tree farms throughout New Brunswick. He was among the first of his family and friends’ circle to take up photography, and after retiring, genealogy and geology. Tony was also a proud Acadian, and taught himself the traditional button accordion after retiring so he could try to play the traditional Acadian jigs and reels he loved so much. A private family funeral service will be held in Fredericton, on October 3rd, 2020. A public memorial celebrating his life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Hospice House, Fredericton. McAdam’s Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.