Richard “Blackie” Joseph Bechard

AUGUSTA – Richard “Blackie” Joseph Bechard, 85, passed away Dec. 24, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.

Blackie was born on June 15, 1940, a son of Leo and Mary Jane (Lessard) Bechard. He grew up in Augusta and graduated from Cony High School. Following school, he enlisted in the United States Navy, achieving the rank of Chief before his retirement after 22 years of service. Following his military service, Blackie was employed by the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in the town of Winthrop, retiring after 17 years of service.

Blackie was a member of many organizations including Le Club Calumet where he served two terms as President and he was proud to be one of the founding members of Le Festival De Bastille. In addition, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Abnaki Council #334, the VFW club, Fitzgerald Cummings American Legion Post 2 in Augusta, and the Masonic Lodge in Augusta, Cushnoc Senior Citizen Group, including past President, and a long-time volunteer of the DAV. He was instrumental with the University of Maine French Department and was inducted into the Maine French Hall of Fame.

Blackie was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and in years past, spending time at the family camp on Moosehead Lake. In addition, he enjoyed going to the casino.

He was predeceased by his parents; a granddaughter, Tessa Hanson; and his siblings, Donald Bechard, Carol Ann Dumont, and Pauline Bechard.

Blackie is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marjorie Bechard; his children, Lisa Bechard and her wife Katherine, Leslie Pierce and her husband Daniel, Lori Desmond and her husband Kelly, and Joshua Bechard; step children, Dawn Dupuis and Michael Clifford and his wife Lisa; grandchildren, Andrew Hanson, Khari Lara and her husband Victor, Dasha Hanson, Hayden Desmond and Grace Desmond; step grandchildren, Matthew Clifford, Nicole Dupuis, Ryan Dupuis; great grandchildren, Alexia Hanson, Cole Lara, Isabella Lara, Torren Velez, and Adrian Velez; step great grandchildren, Chloe Tsipenyuk, Charlie Tsipenyuk and Carmella; and siblings: Kenneth Bechard and his wife Jeannie, and Norman Bechard.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Gentiva Hospice for the outstanding care provided to Blackie during his illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 75 Northern Ave., Augusta, ME 04330. A committal service will be private at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donation’s in Blackie’s name may be made to a charity of your choice