Raymond R. Richard
...Santa Claus stand in; 64
TEWKSBURY - Raymond R. "Yogi" Richard, age 64, who played the role Santa Claus throughout the Merrimack Valley, died Monday morning, May 31, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Diane R. (Grigas) Richard, who played the role of Mrs. Claus, with whom he had celebrated a 10th wedding anniversary this past October 16th.
He was born in Salem, MA, one of eleven children of the late Olivier and Yvonne (LaMontagne) Richard, and was raised in Salem, where he attended St. Joseph's parochial schools. He lived the greater part of his life in Southern California where he worked as Lead Technical Custodian at the Orange Coast College. He returned to Tewksbury in 1990.
He and his wife volunteered at St. William's Annual Christmas Fair in Tewksbury, as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. He was also known for his legendary 'secret formula' Popcorn, inspired, but greatly improved, by the Popcorn at Salem Willow's Amusement Park. His favorite pastimes included cooking, and Boston's professional sports teams, especially Red Sox baseball, and he was also especially talented at the game of Dominoes.
He was a communicant of St. William's Parish in Tewksbury, and a member of the Fr. Coppen's Council, Knight's of Columbus, 4337 in Tewksbury.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Amy Crowley and her husband Michael of Tewksbury, and Andrea Welding-Warner and her husband Chris of San Diego, CA; six grandchildren, Michael Crowley Jr. and Caitlin Crowley both of Tewksbury, Joshua, Trevor, Madeline, and Bianca Warner all of San Diego; his siblings, Robert and his wife Denise Richard of AZ, Aline and her husband Bob Bentham of Haverhill, Roger and his wife Dot Richard of Danvers, Elizabeth "Betty" Richard and her partner George Rogers of Salem, MA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was also brother of the late Theresa Richard, George and his wife Eleanor Richard, Paul and his wife Betty Richard, Jeannette and her husband Bob Beaupre, Jean Richard, and Roland Richard.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, June 4, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Following cremation, interment in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem, MA. Memorial to the Kaplan Family Hospice, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923 will be appreciated.