Richard Bilodeau, 86 August 12, 1935 - May 27, 2022

Haverhill- Richard Bilodeau, 86, died on May 27, 2022 at his home in Haverhill, surrounded by his family.

Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Doria L. and Alma E. (Nyman) Bilodeau, he graduated from Haverhill Trade School. Prior to his eighteenth birthday he enlisted in the United States Army to fight in the Korean Conflict, proudly serving overseas as a Light Weapons Infantryman, earning the National Defense, the United Nations, and Korean Service Medals, as well as the Good Conduct Medal. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Haverhill where he was a self-employed painter and paperhanger for over forty years.

Richard loved his hometown of Haverhill and was extremely active in the community. He was a member of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Committee and was instrumental in the creation of the Haverhill Korean War Veterans Memorial that stands in downtown Haverhill at G.A.R. Park. He was a longtime member and Past Commander (2012-2014) of Chapter 288 of the Korean War Veterans Association. His many civic contributions were not limited to his honorable work with veterans, as he co-founded the Haverhill Girls Softball League. In his free time he liked taking day trips to Foxwoods, dining at Mr. Mike’s Restaurant & Lounge, and most of all dancing, most especially with his beloved wife Virginia.

Richard is survived by his son Richard J. Bilodeau of Bradford; his daughter Sharon L. Bilodeau of New Durham, NH; his sisters Gloria Richardson of Haverhill and Beverly Mullen of Plaistow, NH; his granddaughter Michelle K. Bilodeau and her fiancé Jeffrey Gauvin; his granddaughter Chelsea Rollins; his great grandchildren Landon J. Gauvin and Layne M. Gauvin; and his close friend & caregiver Kimberly Peters of New Durham, NH.

He was predeceased by his wife Virginia A. (Emery) Bilodeau; his daughters Denise A. Bilodeau and Karen L. Bilodeau; his brothers Eugene Bilodeau, Donald Bilodeau, Kenneth Bilodeau, and Ronald Bilodeau.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend services on Thursday June 2, 2022 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home 486 Main Street Haverhill, MA 01830. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 12 :00 PM noon at St. James Church 185 Winter St. Haverhill. Burial with full military honors will follow at Maplewood North Parish Cemetery, 23 Atkinson Depot Road Plaistow, NH. Donations may be made in his memory to Haverhill Korean Veterans Memorial Maintenance Fund, c/o Russell Chaput, 56 Brandy Brow Road, Haverhill, MA 01830. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com