Don Michael Richard

Deacon Don Michael Richard passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 81. He was born on November 30, 1943, and was a lifelong resident of the New Orleans area. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and faithful servant of the Lord. A man deeply in love with God, his wife, and his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Patricia Tessitore Richard and their children, Don M. Richard Jr. (Denise), Denise Douglass (Danny), Jamie Tubre (Michael), Melissa Shaw (Mike), and Christine Corrigan (Sean). He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren who knew him as “Pops”, Caroline, Emily, Daniel, Megan, Jack, and Molly Douglass, John Robert and Annie Tubre, Seth and Savannah Shaw, and Tess, Hughes, and Letty Corrigan. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Ferguson (Ronnie) and his brother, John W. Richard (Pam) as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Louise Richard, brothers, Rev. Kenneth Richard and Larry Richard, and his granddaughter, Mary Francis Douglass.

He faithfully served as a permanent deacon at St. Catherine of Siena Parish for 49 years. Deacon Don never met a stranger. He exemplified the life of a good and faithful steward, generously using his gifts and talents to serve the Church through both his vocation as a lawyer and his ministry as a deacon. Many will remember Deacon Don’s presence through his sermons, which exemplified his deep faith, passion, and love for Christ and His people.

Don attended St. Joseph Seminary College, Notre Dame Seminary, and Louisiana State University, and graduated from Loyola Law School in 1968. He was a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, and the St. Thomas Moore Catholic Lawyers Association. He served as a law clerk to Federal District Judge Fred Heebe from 1968 – 1970 and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1970 - 1977. While serving as a general civil practitioner he also served as in house council for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for 40 years.

The family would like to thank the staff of Anvoi Hospice Care and the Sisters, Servants of Mary for their kindness and compassion.

An evening vigil will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 5 PM with visitation to follow until 7PM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd. Metairie, LA. Services will continue at St. Catherine of Siena Church on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with a visitation to be held from 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM and a funeral Mass to begin at 12 PM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Don’s memory to: Sisters, Servants of Mary, 5001 Perlita St. New Orleans, LA 70122.