Richard Earl "Dick" Lallier

Richard "Dick" Lallier, 83, of Rossville, Georgia passed away, March 26, 2025. Born to Earl and Hilda (Poudim) Lallier on November 8, 1941 in Waterbury, CT, "Dickie" was raised by his mother Hilda and her stalwart sisters Mary and Olga. Born prematurely at 3lbs with Cerebral Palsy (CP), he surpassed all predictions of a short and dependent life and survived to be the eldest in his immediate family. Dick worked from the age of 16 till his retirement at 59 as a button maker for the Ball & Socket (later to become the Waterbury Button Company) where he shared good friendships and served on the Union Board for a number of years.
Dick was a trailblazer in the area of sports for the disabled. When a friend invited him to join an info session for a wheelchair basketball team being sponsored by the New Haven Easter Seals Rehabilitation he became a founding member of the Connecticut Spokebenders, a team that would become family. It is through the Spokebenders he met his wife of over 50 years, Colette, a physical therapist working with the team. As a spokebender, Dick travelled through the US and Puerto Rico competing, coaching and celebrating post-game.
As an athlete in track and field and swimming with the United Cerebral Palsy Sports, he travelled throughout the country and abroad winning medals and awards. He represented Connecticut at the 1978 New England Wheelchair Games and was one of the first CP athletes to travel with Team USA to Holland for the 1980 Olympics for the Disabled and again in 1984 to the games in NY. These games would one day become the paralympics. During this time he also represented para-athletes to the US Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs.
As a father and ppre, he inspired his family to do what seemed impossible, to strive to go above and beyond, and to always have fun while doing it. Road trips, camping adventures, football/baseball/soccer/volleyball games, swim/track meets, Taekwondo, climbing and a grand variety of concerts he always showed up and could be heard cheering - usually the loudest. He was everyones favorite uncle and entertained the kids for hours, but without a doubt his greatest pleasure was spending time with his four grandchildren playing a game of crowns, "peesh-nut", or just hanging out.
Dick was the life of the party, greatly enjoyed people, loved being a host, and always made time to have a cup of coffee or something stronger. In his winter home in GA Dick became active at the local Y and enjoyed the friendships as much as the fitness. He and Colette enjoyed over 25 summers at the Sun Valley Camping Resort in Stafford Springs, CT. He was a regular at the Set-Back and Poker tournaments, an active part of the OFL Golf League, and was welcome at multiple cribbage tables. He could be counted on for a "Woot woot" from his perch on the deck, enjoyed a campfire and was always prepared for happy hour.
He is survived by his daughter Janette Lallier, son Raymond Lallier, daughter-in-law Jennifer (Bernier) Lallier, beloved grandchildren Riley, Graysen "Gracie", Mason, and Caleb, sister-in-laws, Barbara Lallier, Irene Kloos, and Marie Perusse, loving cousins and cherished nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a devoted "Heinz 57" puppy named Lucky. His loving wife of 50 years, Colette (Perusse) Lallier died in 2021.
A viewing will be held for family and friends at Heritage Funeral Home, 3239 Battlefield Pkwy, Fort Oglethorpe, GA Sunday, March 30th from 1-3 with vigil prayers at 2:30PM. In the spring, a Celebration of life will be held in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Connecticut Spokebenders.
Services
Visitation
Sunday
March 30, 2025
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory (Ft. Oglethorpe)
3239 Battlefield Pkwy
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Richard, please visit our Tree Store.