LEWISTON — Richard Arthur Roderick passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Nov. 4.
Richard was born on Jan. 7, 1939, to Aurore (Meunier) Roderick and Louis P. Roderick of Augusta. After his mother passed away when he was four, Richard was raised by his father and his “forever” mother, Jacqueline Roderick. He attended St. Augustine School in Augusta and graduated from Cony High School in 1958. In 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Marguerite “Margie” Robichaud. They were married for 56 years, until her passing in 2016. Together they had two children, Thomas and Tammy.
They lived and worked in Augusta until the summer of 1974 when they moved to Ticonderoga, N.Y. Richard and Marguerite returned to Maine in 1989, settling in Lewiston.
Richard began his work life as an auto mechanic in Augusta, working for his brother-in-law. He began college coursework in 1970 at the University of Maine at Augusta, and graduated from Thomas College in Waterville in 1974 with a degree in accounting.
Following graduation, Richard secured a position at International Paper in Ticonderoga, N.Y. He later relocated to the Jay International Paper location and continued to work there until he retired. After retiring from IP, Richard went to work at Blais Flower and Garden Center in Lewiston as the business manager, until declining health forced him to retire fully.
Over the years Richard enjoyed traveling with his wife, Marguerite, to Florida, Las Vegas, Tennessee, Kentucky and they spent many lovely weekends on the coast of Maine, particularly in Bar Harbor and Boothbay Harbor. Richard was particularly interested in his family history and along with his daughter, spent time on his genealogy, tracing his family to 1492 Portugal. He and Marguerite also volunteered for a few years at The Public Theatre in Lewiston and enjoyed attending plays and musicals locally and at the Maine State Music Theater in Brunswick.
In recent years, golf was his passion and he enjoyed many outings with his friends, even winning the senior championship in his league. Richard also enjoyed hunting and ice fishing in his younger years.
Richard leaves behind his daughter, Tammy Levasseur and her husband, Daniel of Lewiston; granddaughters, Courtnay Putnam and Catherine Putnam of Lewiston; two sisters, Diane Wagner and her husband, Bob of Gardiner, and Louise Davis and her significant other, Clarence McMullen of Newport; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Richard also leaves behind his sweet companion, his cat, Osiris.
Richard was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Marguerite; his son, Thomas; his parents; and his sister, Olive Spears.
You are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to Richard’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.
Richard A. Roderick
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