Richard N. Garand Sr.

Richard N. Garand  Sr., 86, of Ludlow, peacefully passed away Friday, January 11, 2019. Born in Springfield on December 3, 1932 he was the son of the late John C. Garand, inventor of the M-1 Garand Rifle, and Nellie (Shepard) Garand. Richard worked at American Bosch from 1955-1986. He was a communicant of the former St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Ludlow.

In 1956, Dick was driving his beloved 1955 Ford Thunderbird when he met Kathy, his future wife and the love of his life. Together they traded in their youthful lifestyle in 1959 for a Rambler station wagon that signaled the beginning of family life and devotion to his children. He used a series of such cars to drive them to the Cape each summer, camp in the mountains, and to discover the great outdoors and other natural places throughout New England. He supported them in every possible way, as young children and adults, even driving Kim to her early morning paper route or helping Ricky with his businesses. He had a life-long passion for gardening and the ocean and enjoyed taking his kids, and later grand kids, to local rivers, lakes, and streams, even swimming with dolphins in Florida.  He did whatever was asked or needed; the man was the glue that held the family together.

Richard is survived by his loving wife Kathleen (Michaud) Garand of Ludlow, his children Richard N. Garand Jr. of Ludlow and Kimberley Wolcott of Greenfield and his sister Janice Premont of Houston, TX. He also leaves his 3 grandchildren Sean, Heather and Andrew and his great-granddaughter Lorraine,  as well as other extended family members and friends

Richard’s family would like to thank the staff at Chicopee Gardens and New England Hospice for their care and compassion.

Funeral services for Richard will be held Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 11:30 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA. Visiting hours will precede the service from 9:30-11:30 AM. Burial will be private, at the convenience of the family.