Gerard "Dick" J. Brideau

While surrounded by his loving family, Gerard “Dick” Brideau, 87, peacefully passed away within his home, Saturday October 22, 2022.

Dick was born on July 1, 1935 in Leominster, a loving son to Peter and Ella Brideau. As a very young man, he joined the US Navy where he served aboard the USS Briarius and later in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where he was part of the Crash and Rescue Team.

After proudly serving his country and accumulating many exciting stories of his time abroad, Dick came home and began a new job at ITT, Clinton where he worked for many years. As fate would have it, this is exactly where he would eventually meet his future wife, Lucille. From the start, Lucille wasn’t very amused by his mischievous antics, of course all performed to gain her attention. Over time though, Lucille was won over by Dick’s persistence and charm and that was the beginning of the amazing life they had yet to begin together.

Dick married Lucille Sargent on February 12, 1966. They shared a beautiful and rare marriage of over 56 years that brought two daughters and five grandchildren into the world. With a young family to care for, Dick soon found a new career working at PJ Keating company, where he found his calling as a cement truck driver. There aren’t many jobs where you can say that you literally helped to build your community from the ground up. For 25 years, that’s exactly what Dick did. He traveled the byways and highways of Massachusetts, delivering essential concrete to countless residential and commercial build sites. In fact, anyone who’s ever driven the familiar Route 190 to or from Worcester, you have driven on a highway that Dick helped to lay the foundations for.

Dick had many hobbies which included sports (especially Football), spending time with his many friends, traveling, biking, and fishing but one hobby of his was his greatest passion, Skiing. After first learning to ski in his 20’s, Dick continued his love of the sport for 60+ years! He was skiing up until the age of 85 and was very proud to be a member of the Wachusett Old Timers Ski Club.

Shortly after retirement from his long career, the travel bug bit both him and his wife, Lu. Together, they traveled across the country and visited many places. From the top of the St Louis Gateway Arch, to the mountains of NC, to the center stage at the Grand Ole Opry, even to a glacier in Alaska, Dick enjoyed every single moment. But amongst his favorite things to do was to spend time with his greatest accomplishment, his grandchildren. They were the light of his life and his biggest pride and joy. Each one of them held a special place in his heart. His legacy will live on and be carried within them, always.

He is predeceased by his brothers Bob, Vern, Geno, and Roger and his twin sister Gerry, as well as his other sisters Jean and Lorraine. He leaves behind his wife Lucille, and their daughters Laura Casey of NC, and Sherry Kenny (Brideau) and her husband Daniel of Fitchburg. Five grandchildren, Jessica and Joshua Casey of Lunenburg, Nicholas Kenny of Palmdale, CA, Alexis and Jacob Kenny of Fitchburg. His sisters May, Doli, and Marguerite and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us in his Celebration of Life on Sunday, November 6, 2022 from 2-4 PM at Brandon Funeral Home in Fitchburg. We will conclude the service with words of remembrance. Burial services are private.

Please omit sending flowers and instead make a memorial donation to Health Alliance Home Health and Hospice, 60 Hospital Road Leominster MA 01453.