Dr. Richard N. Levrault, Sr. age 68 of Canton passed away May 3rd surrounded by his loving family. “You look good, have you been sick?” was one of the many colorful expressions that often greeted patients at Canton Family Medical, where beloved local family physician Dr. Richard N. Levrault, Sr. held court for the past 33 years. Originally from Fall River, and one of 19 children, Dr. Levrault had a disadvantaged childhood. Through a combination of chance and determination, he was the only child to graduate high school (BMC Durfee Class of ’66). He then went on to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to earn a Master’s Degree in Mathematics, teaching math in Fall River for a number of years. At the age of 28, and with a wife and four children in tow, he decided to pursue his dream of attending medical school. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1980 and completed a six -year enlistment in the United States Army, earning the rank of Captain and also adding two more children to the mix during this time frame.
In 1983, Dr. Levrault moved to Canton, where he joined a practice with his brother in law. Over the ensuing years, he became a fixture in the Canton community, holding a number of civic positions, including being a former member and chairman of the Canton School Committee and Board of Health. He also was also involved in the Lions Club and Emergency Management Committee. Dr. Levrault was also a devoted Catholic and active in the church community, serving as an usher and giving natural family planning lectures at Pre-Cana—often awkwardly to his own children. In his later years, he became deeply involved in the Haitian Health Foundation through fundraising and two visits to Haiti, where he provided medical services to our impoverished “neighbors in need.”
He was known not only for his commitment to his patients, but also his down to earth and charming personality, with his droll sense of humor. He had a hundred jokes and one-liners—a couple of which were actually funny. Upon his retirement, he received hundreds of cards and mementos from those he served.
But above all, he was a family man. His devotion to Mary, his beloved wife and “Cupcake” of 44 years, his six children, and sixteen grandchildren was unparalleled. He was always on the go, travelling and site-seeing with his wife (often with a few stops at the local watering hole), attending his grandchildren’s games and events—all the while maintaining an awful handicap and an abysmal slice. His career in medicine came to an end shortly after his diagnosis with advanced pancreatic cancer in December. His love and devotion to his friends and family continued throughout his battle with cancer. He died peacefully on May 3, 2017 surrounded by loved ones. He looked good, but sadly—he had been sick. He found comfort and peace with God, but he will be missed by many.
Beloved husband of Mary F. (Lowney). Father of Dr. Elizabeth Gebhard and her husband Brian of Norfolk, Dr. Richard Levrault and his wife Kristie of S. Hadley, Michael Levrault and his wife Kendra of Lakeville, Maggie Asselin and her husband Mathieu of Enfield, CT, Katie Eckler and her husband Jeff of Canton and Andrew Levrault and his wife Maureen of Abington. Proud grandfather of Catharine, Nathan, Zachary and Alexandra Gebhard of Norfolk, Evan, Ryan and Kacie Levrault of S. Hadley, Riley, Will and Cecelia Levrault of Lakeville, Georgia and Wes Asselin of Enfield, CT, Annie and JJ Eckler of Canton and Cara and Quinn Levrault of Abington. Devoted son of Rita Levrault of Fall River and the late Raymond Levrault. Also survived by 16 brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends invited to attend a funeral mass at St. John the Evangelist Church 700 Washington St. Canton Tuesday at 12 noon. Visiting hours omitted. Burial St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Haitian Health Foundation-www.haitianhealthfoundation.org Haitian Health Foundation