Obituary of Richard Brochu

On February 28, 2020, Richard Brochu, 86, died in Bangor. He was born Nov. 30, 1933 in Bangor, Maine, the son of Gerard and Josephine (Breton) Brochu. Richard was a 1952 graduate of John Bapst High School and served with the US Army. He married Jacqueline M. (Hughes) Brochu in 1963, and they were married for 29 years until her passing. Richard worked for many years at McGary Optical in Bangor. He was a lifelong resident of Brewer and was a communicant of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, Brewer serving as a eucharistic minister for many years. Richard never met a task or problem he could not resolve. He enjoyed a crossword puzzle at least daily. He was a finely skilled carpenter. Over his lifetime, he provided this service often and freely to family and friends in the form of repairs, restoration, decorative carvings, and other various construction projects. He had a love of gardening and spent many hours tending to his substantial garden as well as fruit trees which he grafted himself. In his later years, he restored a sewing machine from the 1800’s and then used this same machine to create beautiful quilts of his own design. He was a quiet, kind spirit who was deeply loved by his family. His quiet and gentle presence will be sorely missed. He is survived by his three sons, Jeffrey Brochu and his wife Suzanne Moffatt of Gorham, Maine, Stephen Brochu and his wife, Rebecca of Topsham, Maine, and Richard A. Brochu and his wife Angela, of Bellingham, Massachusetts; grandchildren Robin Clukey, Kathryn Brochu, Jacqueline Brochu, and Olivia Brochu, great-grandchildren Benjamin and Charlotte Clukey, three sisters, Frances Faucher of Groton, MA, Patricia Ruth and her husband, Richard, of Milpitas, CA, Joyce Poulin and her husband, Gary, of South Weymouth, MA, two brothers, John Brochu and his wife, Melanie, and James M. Brochu, all of Brewer; many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife of 29 years and his parents, Richard was predeceased by a sister, Charlene Thom; two brothers, Michael Brochu and Carroll Brochu. Family and friends may visit 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday March 4, 2020 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Thursday, March 5, 2020 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Teresa Catholic Church, South Main St., Brewer. Interment will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. A gathering may be held afterward at the parish center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charitable organization of your choice. Messages and memories may be shared with his family at kileyandfoley.com.