Shrewsbury – Richard D. “Dick” Vigneault, 91, of Shrewsbury and most recently of Upton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center, with his loving family by his side just days short of his 92nd birthday. His beloved wife of 50 years, the late Theresa A. (O’Toole) Vigneault, passed in 2008.
Dick leaves his children, Richard A. Vigneault and wife Gail, of Worcester and Port St. Lucie, FL, Janet A. Vigneault, of Shrewsbury, and Lois A. Vigneault and his son-in-law Mark Eaton, of Upton; his granddaughter, Rosann Bentley and her husband Brandon; his great-grandchildren, Levi and Isabella; and his niece, Jean Thompson, of West Springfield. He was also predeceased by his great-grandson, Alexander; his sisters-in-laws, Sr. Mary Redemptus, Rose, Josephine, and Lillian; his brother-in-law, Ralph; and his parents, Alexander and Jane (O’Mara) Vigneault.
Dick was born, raised, and educated in Laconia, NH, he was a graduate of Laconia High School where he learned to play football and eventually got recruited to try out for College of the Holy Cross. He received his Bachelor’s degree from University of New Hampshire, also completing ROTC there. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict in 1953, where he served as an Air Police Officer, until 1955 when he was discharged to the Reserves. It was in 1965 that Dick was honorably discharged from the Reserves, where he held the title of Captain.
He met Terri while they were both working at Travelers Insurance in Boston. They were married in 1957 at St Lawrence’s church in Chestnut Hill before moving to Shrewsbury in 1960 to raise their family.
Dick then worked for Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals for 25 years where he was the number one sale representative for several years, and at the same time he secured a brokerage license in real-estate. After leaving there he signed on at Hospital Equipment Service, before returning to school at Anna Maria College where he received his Masters in Business Administration. He eventually ventured out starting his own business Central Mass Med Care for the next 30 years until he retired at the age of 87.
Dick was an avid football fan, and especially loved rooting for the Patriots. He enjoyed being outside, watching nature, and feeling the sun on his face.
Dick was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary’s Church for over 60 years, alongside Terri. His family was his world, and he was the most devoted husband and father.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Vigneault family between 9:30 and 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, with a funeral Mass to follow at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. Burial, with military honors, will take place at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
