Richard E. Desjarlais, 84

Richard Edmund Desjarlais, a longtime Littleton died Tues­day evening, February 16, 2010 at Leominster Hospital in Leom­inster. He was 84 years old. He was born April 1, 1925. He grew up in western Massa­chusetts,

one of four sons and two daughters born to Frank and Stella (Veautraine) Desjarlais of Chicopee.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 and served during World War II, stationed on the island of Guam as a radio technician.

After his discharge, he gradu­ated from the University of Mas­sachusetts at Amherst. He earned a bachelor of science degree in education in 1950 and a master’s degree in education in 1951. He also matriculated at Boston Uni­versity

in the doctoral program in education, finishing with all but dissertation status in 1966.

Dick began his career in edu­cation as a teacher in Hadley, be­fore serving as a principal in the Farmingdale, Long Island, New York school system from 1955 to 1960. He then returned to Mas­sachusetts

became an assistant superintendent in Winchester.

In 1965 he became the super­intendent of schools in Littleton. He served for more than two de­cades before retiring in 1984. Dick was past president of the Rotary Club, a member of the Lions Club, and a member of the Friends of the Reuben Hoar Library. In the past he also sang tenor with the Sounds of Concord barbershop chorale.

He was an antique radio ex­pert and, after retiring, owned his own company, Dick’s Radio Days. He belonged to the New England Antique Radio Club and worked for Antique Radio Clas­sified in Carlisle as an editor and contributor. He was an active member of the Congregational Church in Littleton.

Dick enjoyed Scrabble, an­tique radios, birding, and the company of his many friends and family. He was a very lov­ing person, father, and grand­father whose sense of kindness and caring will be missed. He was very dedicated to his family and friends and he will be remem­bered and loved each and every day. He is survived by his loving significant other, Polly Hadley of Norfolk; his daughter Pamela Taylor of Jacksonville, Florida; his daughter Wendy Boston, and her husband Gary, of Littleton; and his son Jeffrey Desjarlais, and his wife Jennifer, of Concord.

He also leaves his grandchil­dren: Jacqulyn (Matt) Arconti of Danbury Connecticut, Joseph Margres (Melissa Williams) of Warwick, Rhode Island, and Jes­sica

(Chris) Scales of Warwick, Rhode Island.

He is survived by his broth­ers, Donald Desjarlais and Roger Desjarlais of New York, and his sister Jean Szostak of Connecti­cut.

A memorial service is sched­uled for Saturday, February 20 at the Congregational Church in Littleton.

Donations may be made in his name to The Deacon’s Fund at the Congregational Church in Littleton.