Richard Frances Ouellette, 82, a resident of West Hartford, CT, and zealous summer resident of Chapman Beach in Westbrook, CT, died on the morning of Good Friday, March 29, 2024, in Niantic, CT. True to his nature he put up a heroic fight.

Richard (“Rich” or dreaded “Richie” to his friends and family) was born on September 16, 1941, in Hartford, CT. He was the fourth son of the late Ruth (Marsden) and Anthony Ouellette and grew up one of eight children on St. James Street in West Hartford. He attended William Hall High and was voted “Best Looking” by the class of 1959. He studied art at the Phoenix School of Design in New York City which was later the venerable Pratt Institute. He married the late Judith (Dwyer) Ouellette, a Hall High classmate, on February 9, 1969, during an epic snowstorm, and was happily married for 42 years. He raised his family in Demarest, New Jersey, and made a career as a Graphic Designer at Continental Can Company in Stamford, CT, and Toys R Us in Paramus New Jersey. Once retired, he and his wife returned to West Hartford and resided at The Reservoir.

Richard’s heart and soul lived at Chapman Beach. You could find him on the porch of his beloved cottage all summer calling out greetings to long-time community friends. In his last hours, he mentioned many by name. He lived to hold annual lobster-fest weekends with his treasured children and granddaughters and anyone who could appreciate a fine meal and a good drink. He loved to tell stories of the cottage and its storied history originating around 1850 as a B&B to being won by his father in a poker game for $500 in the 1940’s. Or how Richard’s father walked the streets of Chapman Beach during WWII with a lantern making sure homes had their lights off during U-Boat drills. It is unclear how many of his stories were true, but Richard never let the truth get in the way of a good story, so neither will we.

Richard was famous for his strong personality and his common and likable tendency toward hyperbole. Never doing anything halfway, he was loud, loyal, and generous. He had no problem telling anyone – and we do mean anyone – what he thought of them. We do not have the space to list all the things that made him cry; but he was so easily moved by pride in his family, an act of kindness, or an episode of Little House on the Prairie. He was a loving father. He wrote $25 checks to every charitable organization that asked for money, especially Veterans’ charities, and alleged Native American schools for children in the Midwest. While Judith was his greatest love, his first love was Grace Kelley and he once confessed to writing the Prince of Monaco a ferocious letter when he took her away from American cinema. He often spoke of how he missed his time in New York City and throughout his life he loved to stage grand occasions, throwing lavish dinner parties and cooking gourmet meals with stunning table settings that would last late into the evening.

Richard is survived by his children, Aimee Sundstrom of Erie, CO and Richard John Ouellette of Milford, MA; his two brothers, John Ouellette of Hartford, CT and Jerry and Susie Ouellette of Weatogue, CT; his sister, Ruth Ouellette of Hartford, CT; his two sisters-in-law, Ruthie Ouellette of Southington, CT and Mary Lou Ouellette of Enfield, CT; his two grandchildren, Quincy and Parker Sundstrom; and his nieces and nephews, Linda, Bob, Goddaughter Kathleen, Elizabeth, William, Stephen, Thomas, Mathew, Michelle, Christopher, and Braeden. He was predeceased by his four brothers, Anthony L. Ouellette, Rev. Louis M. Ouellette, William Ouellette and Thomas Ouellette.

Special thanks to the Bride Brook Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of Niantic, CT for the excellent care they gave to Richard.

Calling hours will be Thursday (April 4) from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. A 12:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the Church of St. Peter Claver, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford. Burial will be held at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery immediately following the Funeral Mass, where Richard will be laid to rest next to his wife Judy. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com

Blue Bloods lost a loyal viewer when Richard passed away, and we all lost a beloved father, uncle, grandfather and friend. Rest in peace Poppy.