Richard L. Belanger, 87, of Haverhill and formerly of Boxford, died Saturday, Sept. 15 at Hannah Duston Healthcare in Haverhill.
Born in Rumford, Maine, on Dec. 16, 1930, he was the son of the late Edward and Susan (Thayer) Belanger.
Belanger went to high school in Lewiston, Maine and received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from The College of the Holy Cross.
After college, he served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Upon his honorable discharge from the armed services, he married the love of his life Marilyn Chouinard and lived in Marblehead before moving to Boxford where they raised their three children.
While working as an engineer for Sylvania Electric, Belanger attended night school and became a certified financial planner and licensed insurance agent.
Belanger then went on to work for Mass Mutual for more than 15 years before opening his own financial planning and insurance agency, Belanger and Morse, with his business partner and dear friend Bob Morse.
An avid golfer, Belanger also enjoyed performing with the Village Players, singing in the choir at Sacred Hearts Church and was a member of the Lions Club. He was a Boston sports fan and especially liked the Celtics. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Marilyn and his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with his whole family. He always had a joke, a smile and a kind word for everyone.
Belanger is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn A. (Chouinard) Belanger of Haverhill, two sons, Greg Belanger of Amesbury, Todd Belanger and his wife Lili of Wells, Maine, a daughter, Michele Bove and her husband Jon of Haverhill, a brother, Edward Belanger and his wife Mary Catherine of Maryland, seven grandchildren, Ashley, Cassidy, Kylie and Jordan Belanger, Jack and Andrew Bove and Molly Burling, two great-grandchildren, Greta and Colby Burling as well as several nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Dina Belanger who lovingly and unconditionally took care of Richard.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Friday, Sept. 21, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 South Main St. (Rte. 125) Bradford, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12 p.m. in Sacred Hearts Church, Bradford. Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 5th Ave. Waltham, MA 02451