Richard C. Valle

Richard Valle, age 86, of Dudley, MA passed peacefully on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Harrington Healthcare of Webster after being stricken ill at home. Richard was born on a snowy Sunday morning in January of 1938 in Gouverneur, NY. He is the son of the late Raymond and late Grace (Estleford) Valle.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years: Jacqueline (Benoit) Valle, one daughter: Debra Valle and her husband, Frederick LeCour, of Dudley, MA; a son, Randy Valle, and his wife, Tammy, of Danielson, CT; two stepsons, Michael Gauthier and his wife, Kathleen, of Bartlett, TN, and David Gauthier of Dudley, MA; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews, all of whom he cherished. He is also survived by two siblings, Ramona Bruinix, of DeLand, FL, and Stephen Valle of Rochester, NY. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dee (Cadavero) Valle, his sister, Eleanor Bradley, and his brother, Robert Valle.
Richard began his career as a college professor in 1968 at his alma mater, Atlantic Union College, in South Lancaster, MA, and then moved his family to Dudley in 1971 where he became a Professor of Environmental Sciences and Wellness at Nichols College; retiring in 2004. He loved teaching with a passion, and his students in turn loved him.
At the very core of Richard's life was family, friends, music and the Great Outdoors. He had a beautiful tenor voice, singing in several barbershop quartets over the years, enjoyed playing the guitar, was an accomplished canoeist; loved cheering on his Patriots and Army Black Knights football teams and enjoyed playing "the unforgiving" game of golf (as he jokingly called it). He even got in one last round with his son, Randy, four days before he passed. He enjoyed hosting friends and family with Jackie at their Hayden Pond home in Dudley, including many epic family reunions each summer filled with good food, music and laughter. To everyone's delight, he would end each gathering singing "Happy Trails to you until we meet again!" He lived his life as an adventure, filled with an attitude of gratitude. Living well and well-loved!
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 16th at the First Congregational Church of Dudley, 135 Center Road, Dudley, MA with the Rev. John White officiating. There are no calling hours.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to the Dudley EMT's and police who assisted Richard in his last hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, and please consider a random act of kindness.
www.bartelfuneralhome.com