East Bridgewater, MA – Richard A. Derosier of East Bridgewater passed away on February 8, 2021 at the age of 87. He was the loving son and eldest of nine children born to the late Albert A. and Constance (Hood) Derosier and loving husband of Dorothy J. (Bjork) Derosier.
Dick graduated from Whitman High School in 1951 where he played baseball, basketball, and football for four years. He served as co-captain of the football team, was an all-star shortstop with the Whitman Legion baseball team, played minor league baseball briefly in the New York Giants system in Florida, semi-pro baseball in the Old Colony League and the Cranberry League where he won the batting title and was elected to the all-star team in 1964. For a period of time, he served as vice-president of the league. He also played semi-pro football with the Whitman Town Team and semi-pro basketball with the Whitman Saints. While in the service he also received an MVP and All-Star Award playing baseball.
Dick and his wife Dorothy grew gladiolus by the thousands for over 50 years and sold them at their roadside stands in Hanson and East Bridgewater. They also operated a thoroughbred horse breeding farm in East Bridgewater.
Dick was retired from Wonder Bread where he ran delivery routes in the Scituate and Brockton areas. In addition, he was a motor coach driver for 38 years, transporting South Shore commuters to and from Boston. This was very rewarding work for him, meeting hundreds of people who became wonderful friends for many years. In addition to this work, Dick also did many charter trips all over New England for such companies as P&B, Careys, and JBL Bus Lines. In later years he drove special needs children to and from school and had the pleasure of meeting some very nice parents and children. Another wonderful experience was his association for several years with the Boston Higashi School in Randolph, where he met so many special people and made many new friends, including a very special group of other drivers whom he chatted with each day.
Dick was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, serving as an M.P.
He loved his family, meeting new people, sports, and animals. He and his family loved their 18-acre farm. He had an avid interest in music and prop-driven airliners as well as military aircraft. He was in his glory watching and listening to a prop turning and an engine coming to life amongst the smoke and flames from the exhaust. Dick was a long-time member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and the National Gladiolus Society.
In addition to his beloved wife of 64 years he is survived by his eight children – son Gregory Derosier and wife Ana of Raynham, daughter Teresa Barnabe and husband Richard of East Bridgewater, daughter Kathleen Benjamin of Acushnet, daughter Tina Derosier of East Bridgewater, son Jeffrey Derosier and wife Maureen of East Bridgewater, son Michael Derosier and fiancée Maureen of Bellingham, daughter Jeanette Derosier-Ramos and husband Luis of Bridgewater and son Richard Derosier Jr. of Stoneham. Also, five grandchildren – Meghan Fortini and husband Kenneth of Somerset, Steven Benjamin 1st lieutenant U.S. Air Force and wife Jaymee of Bellevue, NE, Nicholas Barnabe and fiancée Mia of Pawtucket, RI, Eric Barnabe of Bridgewater, and Chad J. Derosier of Los Angeles, CA. Also, three great grandchildren - twins Nora and Genevieve Fortini of Somerset and Margot Barnabe of Pawtucket, RI. He is also survived by sister Marilyn Manning of Whitman, brother Albert Derosier of Pembroke, sister Christine Cataldi of Plymouth, brother Norman Derosier of Bridgewater, sister Constance Derosier of Plymouth and many loving nieces and nephews. Dick was pre-deceased by his brothers David Derosier and Peter Derosier and his sister Diane Robertson.
Visiting hours are Monday February 15 from 4-7pm in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, MA. All other services are private.
In lieu of flowers donations in Dick’s name may be made to either the Boston Higashi School or the MSPCA.