Richard L. D'Entremont

Richard L. D'Entremont, age 84, passed away in the Norwood Hospital on Friday, March 23, 2018. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 8, 1933, he was the son of the late William and Cecelia (LeBlanc) D'Entremont. He spent his early years on Staten Island before his family returned to Boston. Richard received his education in the Boston Public Schools and graduated from Boston Technical High School with the Class of 1952. After graduation, Richard enrolled in the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, graduating in 1955. After successfully completing his licensing exams, Richard took a position as an engineer aboard the cruise ship S.S. Constitution. His service was interrupted when he was called to serve his country in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Portland, Oregon on board the USS Gilligan.

Upon his return to Massachusetts from the Navy, Richard found work with the Quincy Shipyard, working as a design engineer. He was tasked with working on the top-secret project, the USS Long Beach, the Navy's first nuclear powered guided missile cruiser. Unfortunately, at the age of 27, Richard was involved in a very serious motor vehicle accident and suffered a broken hip, forcing him to retire from the shipyard. While recovering from his injuries in Norwood Hospital, Richard met his wife to be, Frances C. Martowska, a nurse at the hospital. Once he was released from the hospital they began seeing each other, while Richard attended school at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. He earned his MBA in 1962 and shortly after married Frances on June 9, 1962 in Saint Peter's Church in South Norwood. The young couple made their home together in Franklin, and Richard took a job with the Kendall Company in Walpole. In 1971, Richard moved his young family to Walpole as his career began to flourish at Kendall, where he was part of their management training program. Richard was an early pioneer in the clean energy movement, as he regularly rode his bicycle to work after settling in Walpole. His background in engineering, led him to serve as the manager for the Central Engineering Department, and he also was part of Kendall's International Division for several years, which gave him the opportunity to travel all over the world. With his maritime and Kendall experiences, there are few parts of the world Richard did not visit, and he could always be counted on for good advice for those thinking of traveling on business or pleasure. Always gracious, Richard and Frances were happy to open their home to old and new friends from around the world, either for a home-cooked dinner for a traveling executive or international student, or to host an exchange student for a summer or longer.

Richard retired from the Kendall Company in 1988 as the Director of Strategic Planning. Richard returned to the working world shortly after retirement, taking a position as an Executive-in-Residence and adjunct professor with Boston University, teaching Operations Management. In addition, he worked for several years as an independent consultant for various companies, including international companies sending him on several trips to St. Petersburg, Russia over the course of three years. One memorable summer he was able to bring his wife Frances to St. Petersburg, where she explored this fascinating city while he worked and joined her when he could.

Richard spent countless hours working. However he remained an active member of his community in Walpole. He served for many years on the board of the Walpole Scholarship Foundation, and, alongside his wife, he was a member of the Do Si Doers Square Dancing Club. In his retirement, Richard continued his activism, this time in his new community of Portland, Maine, where Richard served as the president of his condo association. He and Frances served on the greeting committee for the cruise ships that came into port and enjoyed helping people discover the different attractions of Portland.

While he was a busy man, Richard always found time for his family. From an early age, he took interest in his family's history in Nova Scotia, Canada and enjoyed spending time there. After he welcomed his own family, Richard loved taking them to visit family in Nova Scotia. Richard and his wife, Frances, shared a special bond and loved dining out together.

Beloved husband of the late Frances C. (Martowska) D'Entremont.
Loving father of Susan C. D'Entremont and John Jones of Albany, New York, Peter R. d'Entremont and Heather Macchi of East Walpole, and James F. and Michelle d'Entremont of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Cherished grandfather of Sophia Jones and Ezra Jones both of Albany, New York. Brother of the late Robert D'Entremont.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Richard's Life Celebration on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 10 AM to 12 Noon in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Home Service will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 12 Noon. Interment will follow in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Walpole Scholarship Foundation for the Richard L. D'Entremont Family Scholarship, PO Box 58, East Walpole, MA 02032 or Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Office of Advancement, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532.