Richard Cournoyer

Richard Cournoyer passed away in his home on Wednesday, July 3rd in the company of family, amidst their provided care after a long road of battling health troubles. Richard, son of Aime and Beatrice (Maynard) Cournoyer, was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts in January of 1948. Richard was a fighter in every sense of the word; one of 12 children, he is a US Army Veteran who enlisted in 1965 and was honorably discharged to aid in caring for his mother. An entrepreneur at heart, he owned/started multiple successful restaurants including Little Kitchen in Southbridge, MA, Annie's Kitchen in Sturbridge, MA, and most recently the Brittany Restaurant in Central Village, CT, which was named after a ship, alluding to his love of the sea.

As giving as he was hardworking, Richard prided himself on feeding any customers, even those who couldn’t fully pay. Mainly family-owned and operated in nature, Richard loved regulars at his restaurants, familiar faces, and making dining a pleasant experience for all guests. A jack of all trades, Richard also started and ran his own cleaning business and drove trucks for some time while working for Young’s Express. He bought a home and moved to Putnam, CT in 1997, many of the renovations to which he did himself. 

Richard was a member of the Catholic Church and frequently attended mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Putnam, CT. Unexpectedly in 2005, Richard suffered his first stroke, which he recovered from quickly and impressively. Though this was not the beginning, or the end, of Richard’s long journey recovering from various health ailments by any means, it was indeed a turning point that commenced his battle with vascular dementia. Such a prognosis did not slow him one bit, however; as he was known to crack jokes often, Richard would likely say there was nothing on this earth that could slow him down, never mind stop him. Such was confirmed by his unending determination to fight to enjoy all that life has to offer after his first leg amputation in 2014, which turned into bilateral amputation circa 2018. 

Those who knew him would describe Richard as a bundle of life with unwavering willpower; he enjoyed the ocean and fishing (particularly in Galilee, RI), hunting, a good game of cards (pitch and blackjack above all others), gardening and growing his own vegetables, dogs, and time with his family. 

To Richard, a rewarding day of hard work balanced with life’s more simple moments of bliss, was the epitome of happiness. Such included cooking and baking which he avidly loved, hearty laughs, the beauty of nature, and his family-which to him, included friends; by those virtues, Richard lived a most full life.

He leaves his wife of 28 years Maureen (O’Connor) Cournoyer; 5 daughters, Laura (John) Gagne, Diana (Eric) Post, Annie Long, Kimberly (Mark Ward) Cournoyer,  and Emily Cournoyer and 5 sons, Richard (Katherine), Scott, Chris, Dan, and Shane Cournoyer; 14 grandchildren, Doug, Gabrielle, Katie, Richard, Jake, Simon, and Alex Cournoyer, Andrew Lee,  Brittany and David Post, Brianna Long, Nathan Gilbert, Paityn and Mark Jr. Ward; 4 brothers, Donald, Albert, George, and Aime Cournoyer; a sister, Margaret Biron; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by 6 brothers, Roger, Robert, David, Raymond, Ronald, and Michael Cournoyer. Richard is also survived by his former spouse Anna (DiDonato) Cournoyer with whom he had 7 children. Funeral services will be private.