Richard C. Valiquette, 90, of Auburn, Massachusetts, died on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Richard, known to many as “Dick”, was born and raised in Worcester the son of the late John C. and Lucy D. (Sentence) Valiquette. In 1998 he moved to the Town of Auburn which he called home for the last seventeen years.
Richard leaves behind his devoted brother, Wilbert H. (Bub) Valiquette and his wife Gloria of Worcester; niece Lynn A. Reardon of Worcester; nephew Richard J. Valiquette and wife Lisa of North Oxford; niece Sharon S. McDonald and husband Andrew of Marlborough; and several great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by long-time companion Rita K. Rice, also known as Auntie Rita, and leaves behind her extended family whom he also considered his own.
Richard was retired (1991) from Bruel & Kjaer Instruments, Inc. of Marlborough where he was employed as a Parts Specialist for 60 years. He previously worked as a Production Expediter & Planner for TeleChron Department of General Electric Corp/Timex Corporation, in Worcester and Ashland, for 37 years.
He was a World War II Veteran serving in the 9th Airborne with the 74th Troop Carrier Squadron and 434th Group in England and France Years 1943-1945. He participated in five major campaigns: the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), Invasion of Nimegen Holland known as the Market Garden, Invasion of LeMuy, Southern France, Invasion in Bastogne, Belgium, and Invasion of the Rhineland (Wesel), Germany. He received five campaign battle stars, a unit citation, and was also awarded the French-Croix De Guerre with Palm and Fourragere from France.
Richard was a life member of the Chester P. Tuttle American Legion Post 279 in Auburn, member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3657 South Works in Worcester, the 74th Troop Carrier Squadron Association, and Silent Wing Museum in Terrell, Texas. He was also a member of the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England, Charter Member of the D-Day Museum World War II, Honor Life Member of the Century Sportsmen’s Club in Auburn, member of the Greendale Retirement Club, and life member of the Auburn/Webster Elks Lodge 2118. He graduated from the former Commerce High School in Worcester, enjoyed fresh and saltwater fishing, and playing cribbage and Bid whist.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Richard’s family on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 10:00-11:00AM in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn. A service honoring his life will follow at 11 AM. Burial with military honors will be in Hope Cemetery, Worcester. Memorial donations can be made in his honor to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040-7002 or the VNA of Southern Worcester Co, Inc. 191 Pakachoag Street, Auburn, MA 01501.