Richard C. Poupart Sr., 83, passed away peacefully and in the comfort of his family on Friday evening, January 10, 2020, at Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Tunbridge on February 16, 1936, he was the son of the late Howard E. and Irene (Tenney) Poupart. He married the former Shirley Parsons on February 25, 1956, in Montpelier. On September 25, 1982, he married the former Penney Duprey in Woodbury.
Richard was a graduate of Montpelier High School where he enjoyed being a member of the varsity basketball team. Following graduation, he served his country as a member of the Vermont Army National Guard. A man who thoroughly enjoyed working with his hands, he worked several years during the Vietnam War in Stratford, CT, for Lycoming Engines, a division of the Avco Corporation. Returning to Vermont, he began employment with Merchants Bank, serving for 20 years as the head of maintenance and building restoration. More recently he worked for 17 years as a carpenter for EF Wall and Associates.
An avid cribbage player, he also enjoyed skiing and was an original member of the ski patrol at Mount Mansfield in Stowe. A master tinker on all things mechanical, he was also known to enjoy a good book. During his stay at Berlin Health and Rehabilitation, the wonderful staff there lovingly nicknamed him Captain America.
Although divorced, he remained close with and is survived by his former spouse, Penney Malloy of Middlebury; his children, Lynda Crain and her husband Victor of NJ, Lori Cannon of Durham, CT, Lisa Davis of Newport, ME, Shirley Veillette of Shelton, CT, Dawn Jones and her husband Jamie of Barre, Melissa Haupt and her husband Fritz of Middlesex, Amy Currier and her husband Steve of Waterbury Center, Richard Poupart Jr. of PA, and Randall Poupart of Middlefield, CT; 22 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; a sister, Cecile Morrisette and her husband George of Virginia Beach, VA; a sister-in-law, Sheryl Parsons of Washington; his best friends, Jim Touchette and his wife Sarah of Waterbury Center and Bill Malloy of Middlebury; as well as extended family. Richard was predeceased by a sister, Beverly Poupart; a brother, Gary Poupart; a granddaughter, Samantha Perreault; great-grandchildren, Brayden Dunster and Emily Hendricks; three sons-in-law, Virgil Hale, Bud Cannon and Jake Filipek; and a brother-in-law, Fred Parsons.
Graveside services will be held from Pine Hill Cemetery in Sharon on a date and time to be announced this spring. For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center Patient Activities Fund, 98 Hospitality Drive, Barre, VT 05641, or to Veterans Place Inc., 220 Vine Street, Northfield, VT 05663. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com or the funeral home Facebook page.
