Richard J. Valquette

Richard J. Valquette, 81, passed away on August 17, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Claire Ann (Beaucage) Valquette for 59 years. A resident of Pawtucket, he was a son of the late S. Francis and Margaret (Heroux) Valquette.

Besides his loving wife, he leaves his children, Richard Allen Valquette (deceased), Charles Valquette of Pawtucket, Donna Eichenfeldt and her husband Robert of Pawtucket and Suzanne Poutre and her fiancée, Brian Griffin of Bristol. Richard proudly leaves five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his brother Raymond Valequette of Warwick, sister Barbara Owens of Manchester, VT and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Joseph and Brian Valquette and Florence Glad.

Richard was employed at General Motors for 29 years and was a member of the UAW local union. He was an active member for 50 years of the St. Cecilia Church in Pawtucket before residing in the RI Veterans Nursing Home in Bristol for the past year. He is fondly remembered as a hero to his children and an inspiration to the many lives he touched.

He attended every sporting event and class in which his children and grandchildren were involved. He was their cheerleader and support system. Richard coached boy’s minor league baseball through Darlington National Little League and a women’s softball team. Along with his wife, they began the first instructional girl’s baseball teams in the city of Pawtucket.

Visitation will be held Monday 4-7 p.m. with his funeral on Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. from PONTARELLI-MARINO Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia Church, 1253 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 245 Waterman Street, Ste. 306, Providence, RI 02906-5215.