Owner of the former Dinner Derby of North Avenue in Wakefield
Published March 17, 2021
WAKEFIELD— Richard G. Grondin, age 73 of Wakefield, died Monday, March 15 at the Lahey Clinic and Medical Center in Burlington, surrounded by his wife and children.
Born in Dover, NH on December 28, 1947, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Alice (Demers) Grondin.
Richard was raised in Dover, NH and was a graduate of Dover High School. He married his wife in 1977 and together they moved from New Jersey to Wakefield to raise their family. They were members of St. Joseph Church. He had worked a number of jobs, including being a machinist and a salesman. He was the owner of the former Dinner Derby of North Avenue in Wakefield, but he ultimately retired as a Retirement Specialist from AIG. Richard was the unofficial mayor of the Grandview Campground in Rochester, NH; a place he enjoyed every summer for 40 years. He also enjoyed spending the winter months in Port Orange, FL. Richard was heavily involved in Wakefield volunteering, especially among the youth sports.
He was the beloved husband of Deborah (Sarni) Grondin. He was the loving father of Jonathan Grondin and his wife Ghenya of Waltham; Jacqueline Jackson and her husband Adam of Maplewood, NJ; Jared Grondin and his wife Akesha of Port Orange, FL; and Joseph Grondin and his girlfriend Adrienne Markines of Boston. He was the brother of the late Roland Grondin, Mary Cote, Jean Perron, and David Carignan. He was the adored grandfather of Solomon, Samuel, Theodore, Olivia, Kaia, Braylon, and Xavia. He is also survived by countless dear friends; as well as his cherished dog, Grace.
His funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield on Monday at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place., Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield.
