Richard Fournier

Cummington, MA - Reverend Richard Thomas Fournier, departed this life, as he lived it, with love in his heart, humor and "embraced" by family and friends, near and far, on December 2, 2025.

Born on July 18, 1950 in Boston to Margaret and Francis Fournier, he was the middle of three children. His parents met at Perkins School for the Blind. Although both parents were blind, Rich's childhood stories are fun-filled with antics that he and his brother Skip and sister Ginger got up to with neighborhood friends and their large extended family.

After graduating from Boston Latin School Rich went onto Colby College where he formed lifelong friendships often sharing stories about sports achievements, pranks and bad jokes, a particular Rich specialty. He married Pauline Scanlon in 1977 and both went on to pursue respected careers in service to others and raised their spirited daughter Sarah Fournier-Scanlon.

Rich received his Divinity degree from Boston University and was ordained in the West Cummington Congregational Church in 1981 where he became a beloved minister and for congregations to come. He retired from the Mary Lyon Church in Buckland in 2024 where he had become a cherished minister of his congregation for 17 years and was the first serving minister to marry in that church to wife, Luahn Page. At the time of his retirement the congregation honored Rich by making him Pastor Emeritus.

In addition to touching hearts through his humor and humanity, Rich reached many through his rigorous intellect including becoming a Thomas Merton Scholar. Beyond pastoral care he counseled people through dark times into the light.

Dear to his heart was his work with the NGO Polus Center International aiding landmine victims, refugees from war torn countries and more. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life was unique to him. The many people whose lives Rich touched around the world and close to home have been made better knowing him.

He leaves behind his much loved daughter Sarah Fournier-Scanlon; wife Luahn Page, her daughter Joia and husband Travis Garner; sister Virginia and brother-in-law Stuart Azarchi and their family; five grandchildren, and multitudes of dear friends. He lived life well and touched many hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mary Lyon Church, 17 Upper Street, Buckland on December 6 at 11am. Donations can be made to Hilltown Land Trust or Mary Lyon Church.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Dec. 4, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Fournier

9 Entries

Jamie DiLullo

February 9, 2026

Pastor Richard gave me a small wooden painted plaque of the Holy Trinity about 32 years ago
It is one of my most cherished possessions
I Google his name to see what church he was at now
I came across his obituary
I am crushed
He was such a kind, gentle soul
We have lost a good man
My sincere condolences to his family
I cannot begin to understand how devastating his loss is to you, as it is devastating to me and I haven't seen the man in 30 years
My heart goes out to you
God bless you always

The Stone Family

Planted Trees

Michael Szostak

December 7, 2025

To Rich´s family,
Anne and I extend our deepest sympathy on the death of our classmate. I shall always remember Rich as a free spirit who lit up any space he was in. He may have been small in stature, but he was a giant on and off the athletic fields and courts at Colby. He was the quarterback who led our Tau Delta Phi fraternity over our bitter rivals, Lambda Chi, for the Jnterfraternity League football championship our senior year. We were fortunate to spend time with Rich at our 50th reunion in 2022. He still made us smile.
Michael Szostak
Colby, 1972

Beth Maciorowski

December 6, 2025

how lucky to have known such a kind and gentle soul. I will never forget you, Rich.
my condolences to all.

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Fr Bruce Teague

December 5, 2025

Rich was a beloved Latin School fellow student of Elie Wiesel, a friend, and an ecumenical colleague in the City of Springfield! I admired his commitment to people injured by land mines! Love to Rich´s family. May he rest in Peace! Well done, good and faithful servant!

Carol Kantany Casartello

December 5, 2025

Rich was also the much loved and greatly appreciated pastor of Old First Church in Court Square, Springfield .
His ability to teach and communicate brought many new people into the congregation.
How many people can say they have been made aware ofmp Thomas Merton and his works?
With his extraordinary caring and empathy , intelligence and humor he supported so many of us through difficult times...and was with us to celebrate the happy ones.
There was Sunday school room dedicated to the refurbishment of prosthetic limbs...and there were members who regularly worked at doing just that.
The Open Pantry was housed in and operated out of the space beneath the sanctuary and the industrial kitchen and the auditorium space adjacent to it was regularly utilized by agencies providing meals and shelter for folks in the greater community. Members of the congregation were constant contributors to both those efforts and saw, with Rich´s quiet guidance , that which a church in an urban environment could and should actively support
His love and admiration for Pauline was ever evident ...and his love and devotion and delight in Sarah was palpable.
Rich was the officiant at my wedding in the sanctuary of Old First Church ...and many guests noted and remarked about how HE was emotional and cried a bit during the service . It was an opportunity for Rich, my husband and I to embrace during the ceremony. It was perfect.
I was incredibly sad when Rich moved on from OFC , but always happy that he found great satisfaction and joy for himself and Sarah in Cummington and Buckland.
Dear Sarah... I am so sorry that your Dad has passed away.He was so many things to so many people , but first and foremost it was always evident that his love and dedication were to you and your Mom were paramount.
It was a joy for those who knew and cared about Rich to learn that Luahn had come into his life.
To Sarah , Luahn, Rich´s other family members and all with whom he remained close as well as those who still cherish his friendship from years ago ( among whom I count myself) ...my deepest condolences.

Preston Horton

December 5, 2025

So incredibly sad to wake up this morning and find out that Rich passed away. At the end of the 80s, Rich was the minister at our little Cummington Church. He was down to earth, super cool, always willing to listen and just a wonderful person. You´d see this guy with curly black hair that was wet, on a bicycle pulling up to the church and that was Rich. He was one of the very first people that I came out to and he never judged, was super supportive and just a wonderful human being. His personality allowed him to bring out your feelings and make you understand how a higher spirit can get you through tough times. I saw him about six months ago at our recycling center and the first thing he asked was how was my mother and how was I. Of course that was after the most genuine hug. He truly was a saint and will be missed by so many.

Sally Fisher

December 4, 2025

"You are loved you with an everlasting love. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are His everlasting arms." - Elisabeth Elliot

Dear Luahn and family,

May God´s love comfort and sustain you now and forever.

Every blessing,
Sally Fisher

Susan Adelson

December 4, 2025

Rich was one-of-a-kind. He was gentle, understanding, inspiring, and funny. Rich was also an attentive listener and loyal friend.

When Sarah was in grammar school, she, Rich, Pauline, and my late husband, two young sons, and I spent quality time together. I recently came across a video of all of us playing baseball at Look Park. Pure, good fun!

Sarah and Luahn, my heart goes out to you, and to you as well, Joia. Rich was blessed to have had two loving families.

I hope somehow Pauline knows I´m thinking of her and am holding her tightly in my heart.

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