Richard Paul Labrecque, age 85, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt. Known affectionately to all as “Dick,” he was born in Boston on April 3, 1941. He was later adopted from St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Burlington, Vt., by Paul and Emily Labrecque of West Charleston, Vt. Dick graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Newport in 1959 and went on to pursue a career in finance, earning an associate degree from Champlain College and a bachelor of science in accounting from Trinity College. After a brief tenure with the State of Vermont, he began a distinguished 30-year career at IBM, retiring in 1995.
In 1962, Dick married the love of his life, Jackie. Together they built a beautiful life, welcoming their son, Wade, in 1967 and their daughter, Lori, a year later. After his retirement from IBM — and much to the relief of Jackie, who worried about him being left to his own devices at home — Dick embarked on new adventures. He worked for a carrier service delivering across Vermont before finding a deeper calling in health care. He became a licensed nursing assistant and worked for the Visiting Nurse Association, eventually transitioning from individual cases to volunteering his time at the Respite House.
A man of many passions, Dick was a dedicated member of the Green Mountain Chorus for decades and a longtime usher for Lyric Theatre. He was a talented gardener and ceramic artist, but he found his greatest joy in quilting, a craft he practiced up until the final week of his life. Dick and Jackie cherished their time with family and friends, whether they were traveling across the country or hosting summer barbecues by the pool. Dick’s faith was a cornerstone of his life; he was a devoted member of St. Joseph’s and later St. John Vianney. As a eucharistic minister, he took great pride in bringing communion and companionship to shut-ins, and as a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, he dearly valued the camaraderie of his brothers and their many bingo nights.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jackie; son, Wade, and his wife, Debra Brewbaker; daughter, Lori, and her husband, Marcel Whipple; and his grandchildren, Ethan and Leela. Later in life, Dick was blessed to connect with his biological family, gaining a whole new circle of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Emily Labrecque; brother, Ronald; mother-in-law, Marion Joyal; father-in-law, Omar Joyal; and grandson Luke Whipple.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on May 12, 2026, 11 a.m., at Saint John Vianney Church in South Burlington, immediately followed by an inurnment at Resurrection Park Mausoleum and a luncheon at the parish hall. All are welcome to join the family and share stories of a life well lived.
Arrangements are in the care of Ready Funeral & Cremation Services. To send online condolences, please visit readyfuneral.com.