Obituary of Richard Paul Lacoste

Richard "Dick" P. Lacoste, 87, of South Hadley passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness on May 2nd, 2021.

Richard was born on October 23rd, 1933, to Paul and Eloise (Berube) Lacoste, followed 12 years later by one little sister, Paulette. He attended local schools and graduated in 1951 from Chicopee High, where he played baseball, acted, and sang in theatrical productions.

Richard’s first job was at the First National Supermarket, where he later met his wife-to-be, Marguerite "Peggy" Normandin. They were married in June 1954, and in 1955 he took a position with Walbaum’s Food Mart, where he managed various stores and worked in administrative offices until his retirement in 1998.

Never one to sit idle, in 1999 Richard took a job as a dining hall employee at Mount Holyoke College. He loved preparing for mealtime in his personal “café,” meeting and greeting students, and serenading the crowd with curated playlists that reflected his vast and eclectic musical taste. He spent over 10 years at MHC, working across campus in various dorms, and became known to the community as “The Music Man,” always ready with a tune and a smile for “his girls.”

Richard was a longtime congregant of Saint Patrick’s Church in South Hadley Falls, and a 50+ year member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4044. Despite having spent his life in one place, he was truly a student of the world – immensely curious, passionate about music, film, and world events, with an encyclopedic mind for trivia and a crossword-puzzle master’s gift for language.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Paulette. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Marguerite "Peggy", and their 9 children: Denise Fitzell (Fran), Lisa Methot (Robert), Geralyn Gill (Michael), Anthony Lacoste (Martha), Joseph Lacoste, Peter Lacoste (Kelli), Eric Lacoste (Natalie), Daniel Lacoste (Debbie), and Amy Lacoste (Sukhi). He is also survived by a special cousin, Gerald Foucher.  He and Marguerite were blessed to be surrounded by their large brood, with weekly pizza gatherings and holiday get-togethers that included the 9 kids, 14 grandkids, 14 great-grandkids, various cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends and neighbors – all were welcomed with plenty of food and good company.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 10th from 10:00-11:30 a.m at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home,  followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church.  Followed by an interment of cremains at St. Rose Cemetery in Aldenville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to Saint Jude’s Hospital or  Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Carew St., Springfield, MA are gratefully accepted.  For more information please visit www.beersandstory.com