TOGUS – Richard Louis Picard of Litchfield lost his valiant battle with cancer on Jan. 15. He was a gentle man who died with great dignity.

He was born in Waterville on Dec. 23, 1925, the son of Eugene Picard and Marie Rossignol Picard. He was a very proud Navy veteran who found himself in the South Pacific on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock during World War II, serving as an aircraft tail gunner.

His leisure activities included hunting, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling and occasionally some travel. He was also a longtime member of the American Legion, VFW, the Left Hand Club in Lisbon and the Webber Avenue Club in Lewiston.

He worked nearly two decades as a meat cutter and beef manager for Wilson Co., at both the Waterville and Lewiston locations before venturing out on his own with Martel Meats, River Road, Lewiston and with Yvon’s Market in Sabattus. He had incredible drive and determination. Everyone that knew him will remember his comedic nature; he always had a ready joke or funny remark sure to draw a smile from every individual he spoke with. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Verna O’Neal Picard; his daughters, Rita Picard of Oakland and Barbara Rainville of Belfast; his granddaughter, Deanna Gordon of Wiscasset; great-granddaughters, Kayla and Lindsey Gordon, also of Wiscasset; his sisters, Evelyn Nadeau of Winslow and Annette Veilluex of Aurora, Colo.; and several nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Marie; his sisters, Isabelle, Stella, Jeanette, and Helen; and his brothers, Alfred and Lawrence.

The family would like to express its immeasurable appreciation to the entire medical staff at Togus VA for their exceptional and compassionate care.