Richard R. Hallee

SOUTH PARIS – Richard R. Hallee, 86, of Norway passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Maine Veterans Home with his family by his side.

Richard was born in Waterville on July 2, 1939 the son of Raymond Philip and Marie Cote Hallee. He graduated from Williams High School in Oakland, Maine and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1958. He was honorably discharged in 1962, serving most of his time at Nouasseur Air Force Base in Casablanca, Morocco. Richard married Mary Lou Nadeau on Sept. 25, 1965.

Following his time in the Air Force Richard worked odd jobs, including W. T. Grant, where he was instrumental in the closing of all the stores in northern New England. In 1976, he and his wife Mary Lou purchased Swett’s Shoe Store. Over the years, Richard taught many kids how to tie their shoes. They closed the store in 1992, but Richard continued to work in retail for several years before he retired. Because Richard loved to be outside, he worked with his friend Dave Tilley maintaining Norway Pine Grove Cemetery in South Paris.

Richard had his pilot’s license and loved to fly, however, Richard’s greatest joy wasn’t in the air – it was in the bleachers and auditorium seats. As a devoted Papa, he was a constant fixture at his grandchildren’s games and concerts. They were truly the apples of his eye, and he never missed an opportunity to cheer them on or celebrate their achievements.

As a member of the Oxford Hills Athletic Boosters he worked with a small committee to help develop the Flag Football program. He coached for six years, winning five championships. He was a charter member and first president of the Norway Merchants Association and helped initiate the Norway/Paris Christmas parade that continues on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. He was also a charter member of the Oxford Hills Barbershop Group where he sang in the Hillsmen’s Chorus. Richard was a communicant at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Norway where he also sang in the choir. He loved to sing.

Richard is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lou (Nadeau); son Eric and wife Kathy of Norway son Marc of St. Petersburg, Fla., and AFS son, Hiroki Tsuchiya, from Nagareyama, Japan; grandchildren, Logan, Jack, Katie and Elizabeth (Esmerelda Quackenbush); sister Nancy and her husband Peter Richards of Augusta; brother Paul and wife Judy of Oakland and sister Paula Risinger of Clinton; and several nephews and nieces that meant the world to him.

He was predeceased by his parents Ray and Marie; brother-in-law Alan Risinger; brothers-in-law, Leo, James and Jerald Nadeau.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 1 p.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Norway. Family and friends may attend visitation on Friday evening, May 22, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oxford Hills/Chandler Funeral Home, 1037 Main Street, Oxford. The family would like the extend our thanks to the staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris and Andwell Health Partners.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/maine