Richard Noel Theriault

December 25, 1948 – May 29, 2025

 

Richard Theriault, 76, of Auburn, Maine, passed away peacefully at home on May 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1948, in Lewiston, Maine, Richard was the son of Annonciade and Gerard Theriault. He was the second of five children and grew up in a family that valued faith, service, and hard work. He began his education at St. Peter’s Elementary School in Lewiston and spent two years at Montfort Preparatory Seminary in Long Island, New York. He returned home to complete his high school education and graduated from St. Dominic’s Regional High School.

Richard earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine at Orono, where he participated in the Army ROTC program and later served in the National Guard. While at Orono, he met the love of his life, Barbara, while they were both babysitting during church services. They married in 1972 and built a life grounded in love, faith, and devotion to their family that would include 3 children.

In the 1970s, Richard joined the family business and served as general manager of G.A. Peterson in Auburn, which was owned by Lewiston Crushed Stone. He later managed the Continental Mills in Auburn, a 500,000 square-foot rental facility. He became President and CEO of The Continental Corp and AmeriCon (1980–1999), managing and growing a manufacturing company that expanded from fiberglass stair production to later include injection-molded containers and Gazelle truck caps.

From 2000 to 2003, Richard worked as a project manager on major restoration projects in the Lewiston-Auburn area. These included the renovation of the Central Maine Youth Center for the Lewiston Maniacs, completed in record time, and the restoration of Saints Peter and Paul Basilica.

In 2006, Richard founded Seniors Financial Planning Group, where he worked as a senior consultant providing retirement and Medicare planning services. He managed all aspects of the business, including marketing and client education, and took great pride in helping others navigate life’s next chapter.

Outside of work, Richard loved his family deeply. He loved snuggling with any babies around, and it would not be unusual to find him napping with a baby on his chest. Richard also found great joy in boating, and loved the water. While spending time at the family camp on the water, he even convinced his father to buy a speedboat. This extended into a deep affinity for seafood - specifically lobster! In the mid-1980s, he also earned his pilot’s license and always loved flying. He also had a deep appreciation for games of chance and was a regular at the Oxford Casino in recent years, especially enjoying a good game of blackjack.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Barbara Theriault; his daughter Christine Burke and her husband Arron, and their children Allison and Evan Burke; his son Michael Theriault and his wife Diane Hirsh Theriault, and their children James and Andrew; and his daughter-in-law Barbie Theriault, wife of his late son Jason Theriault, and their children Alexander and Amelia Theriault.

He is also survived by his brother Maurice Theriault and his wife Diane; his brother Roger Theriault and his wife Lorraine; his sister Diane Fortin and her husband Gerry; his sister Rachel St. Pierre and her husband Michael; as well as three brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gerard and Annonciade Theriault, his son Jason Theriault, and his brother-in-law Jonathan.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd, from 5 PM to 8 PM at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner Street, Auburn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 4th, at 11 AM at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash Street, Lewiston with Committal Prayers to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.