Obituary of Richard A. Bongette

Richard A. Bongette, 75, of Hamilton, died Wednesday at the Beverly Hospital after a five year battle with COPD. He was the devoted husband of Annette (Brown) Bongette with whom he shared 36 years of marriage. He was born in Peabody on October 7, 1939 the son of the late Adam and Florence (Larrabee) Bongette and was raised and educated in Peabody and had resided for many years in Hamilton. Richard had been a truck driver for White Fuel Company of South Boston for 38 years prior to his retirement 20 years ago. He had managed Seven Acres Horse Farm in Hamilton for many years and along with his wife, Annette, had been foster parents to many medically challenged children helping them to cope with their illnesses. He enjoyed watching baseball and had been an athlete in Peabody where he pitched for the Little League Tigers and also on the Peabody Pony League and Senior Baseball league and was well liked by all he came in contact with. He also liked to go fishing and playing cards but he was best known as a man who cared very deeply for all his family. He is survived by his wife Annette, his children Pamela Walker and her husband James of Camp Hill, PA, Patti Ann Ostrowski of St. Petersburg, FL, Rick Gauthier and his wife Maureen of Danvers, Brian Gauthier and his wife Joanne, Karen Gauthier and her partner Dennis; Kathleen Erkkila and her husband Eric and Amber Gomez all of Peabody, Becky Gauthier/Peckham and her husband Carl of Rowley, Lindsey Bongette and Roger Thompson both of Hamilton, a sister Barbara Tracchia of Peabody and several grand children, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and loving friends. A Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility followed by a Service there at 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the charity of your choice.