(02/16/13) Richard Louis Surprenant, 80, of Canyon Drive, Westerly, passed away at the Westerly Health Center on Thursday, February 14, 2013.
Richard “Dick” was born on July 31, 1932, the son of the late Romeo and Jeanette (Coderre) Surprenant. He graduated from the Norwich Free Academy, Class of 1949. After proudly serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, he attended Hillyer College in Hartford, CT.
On October 15, 1955, he married Gertrude “Betty” Treat of Norwich and they raised their family initially in Norwich and later in Central Village, CT. Dick was a member of the American Legion in Moosup, CT and was active in local youth sports programs. He was also a member of St. Clare Church in Misquamicut, RI. Dick retired from United Nuclear in Uncasville, CT in 1991 and he and Betty then enjoyed many years sailing the GETS II along Narrangansett Bay and Long Island Sound with Molly, their beloved sea dog. Dick was also an avid craftsman who honed his natural talents in woodworking and whose handmade designs grace the homes of his extended family and friends today.
He is survived by his wife, Betty of 57 years of Westerly; his son Richard Surprenant of Westerly and his sons Jared and Kyle and their mother Betsy; his daughter Renee Surprenant and her husband Joseph Breen and their children Colin and Haley of Woodstock, CT; his daughter Michelle Goettlich and her husband Keith and their children Dylan and his wife Kristen of San Francisco, CA and Kylie of Rochester, MA; his daughter, Paula Fontana of West Hartford and her children, Lena and Lorenzo, and their father Michael Fontana; his son, John Surprenant and his wife Melissa of Dudley, MA and their daughter, Peyton; his son, Jeffrey Surprenant and his wife Jill of Agawam, MA and their daughters, Samantha, Emily and Madelyn; and his brother, Robert Surprenant and his wife Marilyn of Hudson Falls, NY.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at The Church of St. Clare, 62 Crandall Avenue, Misquamicut, RI 02891.
Calling hours are respectfully omitted with no procession to the church. Internment with full military honors will be held at the Rhode Island Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, RI immediately following the Mass.
Funeral services are under the direction of Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home & Crematory, 64 Friendship Street, Westerly, RI 02891.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dick’s memory can be made to the Church of St. Clare, 4 Saint Clare Way, Westerly, RI 02891 or Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.
For online condolences please visit www.rushlowiacoifuneralhome.com.
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