Richard (Dick) Guillette, LTC, U.S. Army (retired), 77, of Franklin, peacefully passed away Sunday, December 31, 2017 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, surrounded by his wife and family. He was the husband of Linda (Markunas – Donato) Guillette
.
Born May 16, 1940 in Attleboro, he was the son of the late Louis J. and Rosella (Farrell) Guillette.
Dick graduated from Coyle High School in Taunton in 1958 and Providence College in 1962 with a degree in History. He began a teaching career and spent many years in the Canton Public School System where he became the Director of the Audio Visual Department and Safety Director. During this time, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Bridgewater State University. After many years in education, a career change led him to open his own business, The Furniture Clinic, in Franklin, MA. He then earned a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Rhode Island College and began a career in social work. Upon his retirement, Dick enjoyed hunting, going for coffee with his longtime friends, and taking long walks with his “puppy” Katie.
Richard had a 30-year career with the military, which began with an ROTC commission from Providence College. Among his many military accomplishments was graduating from Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, KS and receiving the Meritorious Service Medal.
Richard is survived by his four children: Patricia A. Toland and her husband Brian of Aldan, PA; Michelle A. Daniel and her husband Joseph of Riverton, NJ; Richard W. Guillette and his wife Jennifer of Little Elm, TX; and Aimee E. Lavery of North Attleboro, MA. He is also survived by two stepsons: Christopher Donato and his wife Meredith of Seekonk, MA and Patrick Donato of Natick, MA. He will be dearly missed by his sisters, Dr. Helen Vassallo of Worcester, MA, Ann Hart and her husband John, of Narragansett, RI, and his sister-in-law, Pam Guillette, of North Attleboro, MA. Richard will also be missed by his grandchildren: Tom and Alanna Toland of Aldan, PA; Mary Rose and Roman Daniel of Riverton, NJ; Jill and Mallory Guillette of Little Elm, TX; Luke and Addison Brown of Little Elm, TX; Hannah, Abbie, and Lily Lavery of North Attleboro, MA; Jackson Donato of Framingham, MA; John-Thomas, Francesca and Thaddeus Donato of Seekonk, MA, and his foster children: Ken Anderson of Tampa, FL; Adam Barbour of Boston, MA and Jaime Nicholson of North Attleboro, MA
Richard was the brother of the late Dr. James Guillette, Virginia Gallogly, Dr. William Guillette, Ruth Guillette, Robert Guillette, and Muriel Hobin.
Calling hours will be at the Oteri Funeral Home, Franklin, MA from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Thursday, January 11, 2018.
Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church, Franklin, MA with interment at Bourne National Cemetery.
Due to floral limitations at the cemetery, donations in his memory may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.
Guestbook/directions www.oterifuneralhome.com
