Richard Lapierre

OXFORD – Richard J. Lapierre, 88, formerly of Oxford, died Sunday, January 31, 2021, in his home after battling Alzheimer’s for several years.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Phyllis (Hetu) Lapierre of Worcester; six children, Brian Lapierre of Spencer, Janine Bruggemann and her husband Paul of Shrewsbury, Joyce Blondin and her husband James of Worcester, Steven Lapierre and his wife Melinda of Shrewsbury, Gary Lapierre and his wife Lisa of Shrewsbury, and Charlene Mangione and her husband Gary of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Joan Kimball and her husband John of North Brookfield; six grandchildren, Nathan, Erin, Alexandra, John, Jay, and Henry; his niece Jean; and his nephew James.  He was born in Worcester, son of the late Leo W. and Beatrice (Lamarche) Lapierre, was raised in Worcester and lived in Oxford and North Carolina for many years, before moving back to Worcester 8 years ago.  He graduated from South High School in Worcester in 1950 and attended the Boston School of Practical Art.  He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War.

Mr. Lapierre was a commercial artist at Cooney & Connor in Worcester, then was a self-employed commercial artist.  He also owned and operated Mom’s Cleaning Service with his wife in North Carolina for 35 years before retiring in 2012.  He was a former member of St. Roch’s Church while living in Oxford, and attended the United Wesleyan Church while living in North Carolina.  He was skilled in carpentry and building trades, and enjoyed watercolor painting, swimming, and gardening.  He loved to work with his hands, design buildings, and built a few homes throughout his life.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021, at St. Roch’s Church, 332 Main St., Oxford.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.  Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.