Richard Douglas Courtemanche

Of Austin TX, 36, died on November 5, 2005 of a gunshot wound self-inflicted at the Barton Creek greenbelt in Austin, TX. He was the beloved son of Betty Courtemanche of Natick, MA and Bob Courtemanche of Dover, MA. Richard was larger than life, fatally flawed and could light up a room with his smile. He received an MBA from the Sloan School of Business at MIT, a BA from Babson College and prior to that served in the United States Marine Corps, earning an honorable discharge. He worked primarily in the investment business, beginning at Putnam Investments in Boston, later at the Dresdner Bank in London and finally as a self employed futures trader. During his short life, Richard lived in Massachusetts, Sicily, Okinawa, London, San Diego and Austin. Austin, he said, was the place he could be himself. He was a masterful story-teller and one of those rare individuals people gravitated towards. He suffered from bipolar disorder and alcoholism. His family will always remember him for the joy, comfort and solace he could bring to others despite his own excruciating inner turmoil. Richard loved nature, his dogs, solving a problem and laughing with friends. He was surrounded by family and love when his life-support system was disconnected in the intensive care unit and he passed. Richard is survived by his loving parents; his brother Ted Courtemanche and his wife Deana of Greensboro, NC; his fiancee Christine Baranda of San Diego, CA; his uncle Edward Zaleckas, Jr. of Feasterville, PA; and his boxers Daisy and Zak who will live with his mother in Natick, MA. There will be visiting hours on Saturday, November 12 from 4-5:00 pm at the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home located at 4 Park St on the Common in NATICK, MA. A service will immediately follow at 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, Richard's family asks that you please send contributions to a memorial fund for Richard Courtemanche, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank at 6 Main Street in Natick, MA 01760.