Obituary of Richard John Cormier

Ocala, Richard John (Dick) Cormier - 82 of Ocala FL. passed on Monday August 27, 2012 at Munroe Regional Hospital after a brief illness. He was born March 3, 1930 in Fort Fairfield Maine, the son of the late Jack and Anna Cormier. After graduating from Fort Fairfield High School Dick attended Ricker College receiving a BA in social sciences and later a Master's degree in education from Boston University. Dick was also a Veteran serving in the Army Reserves from 1953 to 1955. Dick was a natural athlete and enjoyed many years playing and coaching baseball and basketball. He played for semi-pro baseball teams in New Brunswick and the Maine Augusta Millionaires, being offered two opportunities to play pro ball with the Boston Braves and the Pittsburgh Pirates which he turned down to complete his education. He was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1959 Dick moved to Van Buren, Maine where he met his wife Della whom he married in 1960 and raised four daughters. Dick enjoyed a long career in education in Van Buren, teaching health and physical education, later serving as Principal of Van Buren District Secondary School, retiring in 1986. Dick was very active in the community as a member of the Jaycees, the Rotary Club, the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. Upon retirement Dick moved to Ocala, Florida with his wife Della where he enjoyed playing golf and taking trips back to Maine visiting with family. In Ocala, he was an active parishioner to St. Jude Catholic Community church. Dick was predeceased by his wife of 51 years Della Cyr Cormier. He is survived by four daughters: Cheryl Batter and her husband Jeffrey of Meriden CT, Lisa Cormier Smith and her husband Thomas of Casco ME, Beth Cormier and partner Joanne Stinson of Raymond ME, and Tanya Lapierre of St. David ME; grandchildren Tyler Lapierre and his wife Kylie and Connor Lapierre of Van Buren; step-granddaughter Sara; great-granchildren Emily and Bradley; and step-great granddaughter Autumn. He is also survived by two sisters Patricia MacNaughton of Ocala FL. and Marjorie Michaud and husband Bill of Melbourne FL. Dick is also survived by several brother and sister in-laws and nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday September 12th at 1:00 pm in Van Buren Maine at St. Bruno/St. Remi Catholic Church. A burial will follow at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou, Maine. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Brunos Parish at 174 Main St, Van Buren, ME. 04785 or St Jude's Catholic Community, 443 Marion Oaks Drive Ocala, FL. 34473. Condolences may be expressed at www.hiers-baxley.com