PORTLAND – Mr. Alyre J. Richard, 93, died Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at the Cedars in Portland. He was formerly of Rumford.

Born in Rumford, on July 5, 1925, he was a son of Antoine and Louise (Daigle) Richard. He attended Rumford Schools and proudly served in the U.S. Army. Alyre retired from Boise Cascade Paper Mill, in Rumford, after 40 years of service.

Alyre was a communicant of the Parish of The Holy Savior St. Athanasius St. John Church in Rumford. He was a charter member of the Chisholm Ski Club, member of Rumford Falls Aerie #1248, FOE, Napoleon Ouellette Post # 24 American Legion, Robert Shand Post #1641, VFW and the Maine Crafters Guild.

Alyre was a skilled worker, having built the house that he and Claire raised seven children in. Alyre was an inventor, holding a patent. He built furniture for family and friends, and crafted toys that he donated. As an avid skier, he taught all of his children to ski, along with participating in the Trek Across Maine, at the age of 76. Above all, Alyre instilled a “do it yourself” in all of us children and there wasn’t anything that he couldn’t repair.

He was married in Lewiston, on January 14, 1952, to Claire M. Michaud, who died in Rumford on July 25, 2011.

Survivors include three sons, Maurice and his Fiancée, Heidi of Virginia Beach, Va., Raymond and his Fiancée, Kristin of Portland, Emile and his wife, Rita of Farmington, two daughters, Elaine Boyd and husband, Jeff of Rochester, N.H. and Christine Reed and husband. Eric of Exeter, N.H.; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marie Viger of Greensboro, Vt., brothers, Leo Richard of Laconia, N.H., Frank Richard and his wife, Louise of Rumford, Joe Richard and his wife, Doris of Mexico, and sons-in-law, Rusty Han of South Portland and William VanTassel of Turner.

He was predeceased by his wife, Claire; two daughters, Venise VanTassel and Pauline Hahn; brothers, Yvon Richard, Alphonse Richard, Edward Richard, Ray Richard, Laurie Richard and a sister, Lorraine Parise; and a daughter-in-law, Susan Richard.

The family would like to express our gratitude to the Cedars for the care, love and compassion that they showed to Alyre.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the spring at the Parish of The Holy Savior St. Athanasius St. John Church, 126 Maine Ave., Rumford, followed by internment in St. John Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the

Cedars

630 Ocean Ave.,

Portland, ME 04103

in his memory.