Deacon Harold Paul Richard

Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m., on Friday, August 28, 2009, at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, for Deacon Harold Paul Richard, 86, who passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Lafayette General Medical Center. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 1 in Breaux Bridge. Father Paul LaFleur will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by his daughters, Jeanette Romero and Theresa Gonzales. Gifts will be presented to the Altar by his five granddaughters. Harold was a veteran of World War II, having honorably served his country in the United States Army. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He studied the Deaconate Program and was ordained "Deacon" in 1975 in Houston, TX. From Houston, he transferred to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Scott, LA, where he served one year, before coming to serve as Deacon at St. Bernard Catholic Church, in Breaux Bridge, until his retirement. Deacon Richard was very crafty with his hands, and gave away all of his projects. He was known to many as "The Chair Man" for his ability to make Macram weaved chairs. He was a very talented man and enjoyed making people laugh. He will be missed by family and friends because he brought laughter and love to all. Survivors include his two daughters, Jeanette Romero and her husband, Glynn, of Ossun, LA, and Theresa Gonzales and her husband, Jimmy, of Houston, TX; five grandchildren, Angie Hebert, Yvonne Palmer, Lori Bobbitt, Kim Nolan, and Kristy Slaughter; nine great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Yvonne Dupont Richard; his parents, Elinor Richard and Anna Duhon Broussard; a sister, Hazel Champagne, and an infant sister, Yvonne Richard. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. Bernard Catholic Church on Friday, August 28, 2009 from 1 p.m. until time of service. Pallbearers will be Glynn Romero, Don Palmer, Mike Hebert, Jimmy Gonzales, Kirk Champagne, and A.J. Bernard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carmelite Nuns Monastery, 1250 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501, or to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA 70503. Pellerin Funeral Home, 337.332.2111, is in charge of arrangements.