Richard Vieira, affectionately known as Dick to his friends, was born on August 4, 1935, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to his late parents Jesse and Lillian Vieira and was the older brother to his sister, Pauline Michaud. He was the beloved husband of Denise Lavoie, whom he married in 1958, and together they created a beautiful life filled with love and cherished memories.
Dick and Denise were blessed with four sons, Christopher (married to Renee), David (married to Caryl), Peter (married to Sheryl), and Daniel (married to Jennifer), who brought immense joy and pride to their lives. He was a loving father who provided his children with unwavering support and encouragement, and they, in turn, became his pride and joy.
Family was of utmost importance to Dick, and he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. In his early retirement years, he reveled in the role of being a doting grandfather to his 15 grandchildren. He was recently proud to have a great-grandchild as well. He cherished the time spent with each of them and was braggingly proud of their accomplishments.
Professionally, Dick's journey took him from Durfee High School (1953) and Providence College (1958) to the bustling streets of Manhattan, New York, where he worked as a buyer for national retailers in the garment district four days a week for most of his career. He and Denise also ventured into entrepreneurship, owning Taunton Apparel, Inc., which operated a successful chain of discount retail women's clothing stores, including the well-known "Something Special" in Taunton, Massachusetts. Their dedication and vision revitalized the downtown area and provided numerous opportunities for aspiring young women in retail and business careers.
Throughout his life, Dick was an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying professional sports and being an original season ticket holder for the New England Patriots. In his limited leisure time, he found solace by the seashore, enjoyed saltwater fishing, and engaging in friendly poker games with longtime friends.
Dick's faith was a guiding force in his life, and he and Denise were devoted members of St. Ann Church in Raynham since 1965. He actively participated in church activities, serving as a lector for 40 years and dedicating his time to the construction of the Church's religious center as the chairman of the building committee. For his dedicated service to the Church and community, Dick was awarded the Marion Medal by the Diocese of Fall River in 2006.
Later in life, Dick faced a challenging battle with Parkinson's disease. He participated in a 15-year pilot study for deep brain stimulation, a testament to his courage and willingness to contribute to medical advancements that may benefit others. With the care of Denise, he was able to continue to live at home well into his 80’s.
On July 22, 2023, Richard Vieira peacefully passed away. He had spent the past days of his life with family and the compassionate staff at Nemasket Healthcare in Middleboro, Massachusetts. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him, as he leaves behind a profound impact on his family, friends, and community. His sense of purpose, optimism, and unwavering love will continue to inspire and comfort those he touched throughout his life.
Visiting hours will be held from 5-8 pm on August 9, 2023 at O'Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington Street, Taunton MA 02780. A funeral mass to celebrate Dick's life will take place at 11 am on August 10, 2023 at St. Ann Church, 675 North Main Street, Raynham MA 02767, where family and friends will come together to bid farewell to a remarkable individual who enriched the lives of many.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul, a charity which Dick and Denise supported through their lives. Donations may be sent to SVDP, PO Box 247 (660 North Main Street), Raynham MA 02768.