It is with heavy hearts that we share news with The Valley community of the peaceful passing of long-time resident Richard “Dick” Migneault on July 13, 2020. He was 80 years old. His year-long battle with small cell lung cancer was one filled with strength, determination, resilience and even humor.
He was born August 16, 1939, to Captain Phillip and Charlotte (Beaudry) Migneault in post-depression Providence, Rhode Island. It was clearly destiny that he landed on the old family farm at the top of Marble Hill in the mid-40s. Dick’s hard work ethic quickly took hold and lessons at the old No. 9 School House fell by the wayside. By his late teens, Dick could be spotted cruising the back roads in his custom 1951 Mercury, hell raisin’ with the Hall boys, and attending local barn dances with his future wife, Nicolle (Viens). Upon their marriage, the couple was gifted a marital lot of land in North Fayston, which through decades of hard labor would evolve into a vast homestead lovingly nicknamed “The Migneault Compound.” This was no easy feat, as the couple lived full time in Connecticut, raising three girls as well as operating a successful drywall business. The North Fayston property was the couple’s masterpiece and after moving full time to Vermont in 1999, Dick could be found either just starting, just finishing or in the middle of a work project seven days a week. A beautiful pond claimed center stage on the property, and Dick (commonly referred to as the “Duck Whisperer”) developed a strong bond with generations of mallard ducks that followed him around as if he were the pied piper.
Dick was a true jack-of-all-trades. Drywaller, carpenter, mechanic, plumber, electrician, landscaper, mason and gardener to name just a few. Area residents were known to drive down the property’s winding driveway to catch a glimpse of his ripening tomatoes. Whatever it was, he did it well. He even fancied himself an IT guy and spent hours deciphering cell phones, computers and other gadgets. He also spent lots of time sharing this “expertise” with whomever would listen. A cook he was not, but he could boil a mean hot dog.
Despite Dick’s supposed retirement, he rose early and kept himself busy from sunup to sundown. When he wasn’t cutting/splitting firewood, keeping the property mowed/plowed and everything else a large property involved, he was the entrusted caretaker of multiple local properties. You could also catch a glimpse of him driving his blue Suburban into town for coffee, visiting Kenyon’s for duck feed or swinging by Neill Farm to check up on the corn crop. Many days his vehicles would be parked at the Fayston cemeteries as he cut grass, weed whacked or tackled spring/fall cleanup for the town, which he did for many years. He took great pride in keeping the grounds looking their best and it showed. Until his diagnosis, Dick also held the position of treasurer for the Fayston Historical Society.
Dick’s interests were vast and varied over the years, ranging from snowmobiling as a long-time member of the Mad River Ridge Runners, country music, NASCAR, NHRA, MMA, hunting, fishing, playing softball and following college and national football. With the inception of streaming television, he developed a slight addiction to reality crime TV and binge watching such shows as Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Deadliest Catch and Wicked Tuna certainly was not beneath him. However, his lifelong love affair was with custom cars, especially the 1951 Mercury which he was fortunate enough to own two during his lifetime.
Richard is survived by Nicolle, his wife of 59 years (now of Noblesville, IN) as well as daughters Wendy Wagner and husband Ted of Noblesville, IN, Michelle Micket and husband Bob of Edisto Island, SC, and Laurie Migneault Prouty and partner Craig Balut of East Windsor, CT. He is also survived by grandchildren Hannah Prouty, Alan Prouty, Taylor Wagner, Vanessa Wagner Tabbert and husband Brian who will soon expand on Dick’s legacy with twin great-granddaughters. Survived by brother Roy Migneault, he was predeceased by sisters Bernice (Tingley), Anita (Chesar), Joan (Stafford) and brother Phillip Migneault. He will leave a vacancy in the hearts of numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews who will remember their “Uncle Dick” with fond memories. The love Dick shared with family and friends will certainly surpass his physical absence.
Dick found great joy in simple pleasures. To honor him, we simply ask that the next time you admire a beautifully- tended lawn, stack firewood, take in the majesty of fall foliage, watch ducks paddle across a pond, love up your pet, turn a wrench, whistle at a classic car, catch the scent of freshly mown hay or bite into a perfectly ripe ear of corn slathered in butter…take a moment and whisper “this one’s for you Dick.”
A gathering in celebration of Dick’s life and interment of his ashes at the North Fayston Cemetery will occur at a future date yet to be determined. For those who feel led, in memoriam gifts may be made in Dick’s name to the Central Vermont Humane Society, P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, Vermont 05601.
