Richard Stanard Obituary

Richard W. Stanard Sr., 76, of Lee, passed away on Tuesday, July 15th at Berkshire Medical Center.

Rick was born March 22, 1949, the youngest of 11 children of Howell Stanard and Jennie (Mange) Stanard. He was born and raised in Lee and grew up and then lived his whole life on Beartown Mountain. He graduated from Lee High School in 1967. The day after graduation he started working at Hurlbut/Mead Paper Mill, where he retired in 2009 after 42 years of service. After retirement he worked for Abbott's Limousine Service where he especially enjoyed driving and getting to know the senior citizens of Lee.

Rick served his country by enlisting in the US Army October 7, 1968. He trained as an airframe repairman and served in Vietnam from May 7, 1969 - April 10, 1970 and was honorably discharged October 6, 1971. Rick married his high school sweetheart Debra Allan on October 18, 1969 and they spent the next 55+ years together. Rick loved anything outdoors filling his time hunting, fishing, walking the mountain and doing his many acres of yardwork. You would also find him and Debra enjoying going for long rides and car shows with his 1964 Chevy Impala SS. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association.

He is predeceased by his parents, Howell and Jennie; his brothers: William, Howell P, Howell F, Noel, and his sisters; Beverly Keefner, Jean Kirchner, and Donna Somerville.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Debra, his son Richard W. Stanard Jr. (Denise) of Auburn, his daughter Heather Brunell (Brent) of Clifton Park, NY and his grandchildren; Loren Stanard, Ryan Stanard, Ethan Brunell, and Mirabel Brunell. He is also survived by his brother Robert Stanard, sisters Bertha Vreeland and Shirley Hunter, and many nieces and nephews.

For those interested, memorial donations can be made to Soldier On, Pittsfield, MA or to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston MA in care of the Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.

As per Rick's wishes, there will be no service. A celebration of life will be held for family and friends wishing to share their stories and love on Friday, July 25, 2025 from 1-5pm at Greenock Country Club, Lee, MA.

If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, please visit our web site at www.kellyfuneralhome.net