Richard Wilfred Moreau

Richard W. Moreau of Easthampton, MA passed away on Tuesday December 7th surrounded by his family. Rich was born on July 17th, 1940 in Holyoke MA and was the son of the late Leonidas A. Moreau and Diana (Verdon) Moreau.

Rich leaves his wife of 56 years Diane (Sue) Moreau, his son Jared Moreau who lives in W.Hatfield, his daughter Denise Moreau and grandson Noah Moreau who live in Southampton, brother Leo Moreau of Montrose, CO, sister Diane Sullivan of Agawam MA, brother Roger Moreau and his wife Wendy of Yampa, CO, and several friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.

As a young man Rich grew up working at his Father’s gas station in Hadley MA with his brother Leo. He attended Hooker School and graduated from Hopkins Academy. While working at his Dad’s gas station he and his brother Leo worked on a chevy simpca that he then drag raced with around the country breaking records multiple times at the Nationals. In 1964 he married his wife Diane (Sue) who he met through a mutual friend 60 years ago, they then drove down to Florida for their honeymoon in his 1963 midnight blue Stingray Corvette. Rich attended HCC and then spent his nights and weekends studying at WNEC trying to obtain his engineering degree.

Rich armed with his book knowledge headed out into the working world. Working at various places such as Bosch, Tampax, Kellogg Brush, Ludlow packaging where he ended up commuting to Louisiana for a year, he landed at Hardigg Industries where he worked as a Plant Manager and finally retired as a plant facilities manager in 2005.

Rich did not stop working once he retired instead he used all the skills he picked up along the way and on millions of projects and teaching his kids and grandson. There was no project Rich was too afraid to take on including working on their house built 1778 which they purchased in 1968, various farm animals houses, decks, and projects at both his children’s houses. It is hard to look around any of our properties and not see something he has touched. He also belonged to multiple clubs during his long life such as being a Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts Troop 114, Western New England Divers Association, Colonels Hot Rod Club, and Holyoke Revolver Club where is rebuilt both indoor and outdoor ranges, ventilation system and target system.

Most of all Rich was just a wonderful, kind, caring person who would put everyone before himself. He loved spending time in the woods hanging out, building a lean to, and cutting wood to burn during the winter months. He enjoyed family get togethers were he could graze and snack on the too much food we would always cook, usually with a fire burning in the fire place. Drag racing season you could usually find him on the couch glued to the TV, munching snacks, hanging with his friend Dave and calling his Brother Leo. There is not enough time or words to truly express how important this man was to his family or just how much he will be forever missed.

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