U.S. Air Force veteran, hunter, storyteller
Published in the January 20, 2016 edition
WAKEFIELD — Richard P. Surette of Wakefield passed away on Sunday, Jan. 17, following a long illness, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in East Boston, he was the son of Peter A. and Ann Rose (Pothier) Surette of Nova Scotia.
He leaves his loving wife, Florence (Deluca) of 63 years and five children: Catherine Worthley and her husband Thomas of Higganum, Conn.; Peter Surette and his wife Pam of Middleton; Rhonda Surette and her partner Pamela Keisling of Horner, W.V.; Sharon Surette of North Reading and her companion Kirk Stowell, and Ann Ferraro and her husband James of Wilmington. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was the brother of the late Ambrose, Edward and Edmund Surette and Marjorie Burke.
Richard proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. He had a strong work ethic and never missed a day of work. By trade he was a machinist working his early years at Clark’s Machine Shop in Everett and later as a foreman at Snyder Machine Shop in Saugus.
Deer hunting was Richard’s passion and he enjoyed returning to his family home in Nova Scotia yearly for hunting with family and friends. An avid storyteller, Richard enjoyed recounting early memories of boyhood adventures with enthusiasm and wonderful humor.
Visiting hours will be at McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Friday, Jan. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 9 a.m. from McDonald Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.
