MERCER — Michael Andrew Richard, 53, of Mercer, formerly of Mexico, was found Jan. 24, at his residence.

He was born May 29, 1958, in Rumford. He was the beloved only son of Joseph Ivan and Lillian Filiault Richard. Mike attended St. Theresa's Grade School and Mexico High School, Class of 1976.

He studied horticulture and carpentry and associate degrees from UMO and SMVTI. He was a member of Iron Workers Local Union No. 496 for the past 28 years. As an iron worker, Mike worked all over the country from the Boeing 777 plant in Washington State, to bridges and windmills in Maine.

Mike's love of nature was evident in his passions for gardening, canning, foraging, hiking, camping, hunting and astronomy. He was a very generous man and friends and family often benefited with quarts of his blueberries or bags of fiddleheads.

He is survived by his mother, Lillian Richard of Mexico; his six sisters and their families, Martha Peters of Sanford, Peg Richard of Portland (Rob, Zoe and Gabe Lindsay), Barbara Macgregor of Rumford (Sandy, Peter and Molly MacGregor), Norma Richard of Raymond, Susan Richard of Mexico (Nicholas, Samantha, Angelina and Rosaria Puiia, Rachel and Timothy Swan, Maggie Puiia) and Terry Richard of Dixfield (Walt, Sawyer and Sela Smith); his uncle, Omer Richard of Scarborough; and many cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his father, Ivan Richard; and nephew, Jay Lindsay.

He was a treasured son, brother, uncle and friend. He will be sadly missed.