Richard B. “Trader Dick” LeMayJohnson - Richard Benjamin “Trader Dick” LeMay, 74 passed away peacefully with his beloved wife Jinny (Virginia) Bogni-LeMay at 2:30 pm on Sunday August 8, 2010 near St. Johnsbury, Vermont countryside searching for “good deals” and looking at Vermont wildlife. We were most fortunate and blessed that in Richard’s final hour we enjoyed watching a flock of wild turkeys and their young ones. They were not frightened and seemed to enjoy us as much as we did them. We also got to look at a couple of collectible cars that we had been searching for, Dick’s 68 Caddy and Jinny’s Mustang. It was while we were talking that Richard became silent and just stopped breathing. It was rather fitting that he passed as Jinny pulled into a yard sale.
Richard Benjamin LeMay who was named after his great grandfather Regis LeMay was born in St. Albans, Vermont on October 28, 1935, the youngest of four children born to the late Ephraim and Olive (Clark) LeMay. While growing up Richard always tried to keep up with his big brothers Charlie and Moe (Harold) and sister Bernice. He thought he could do anything that they could. In fact, after watching his brothers drive a car into the driveway at the age of 6 Dick decided that he could drive too. Good friends have always been important to Dick and it seemed as though he befriended most everyone he met. As a boy he could be found skiing with friends at Hardack; ice skating at the city rink or on the river or in the summer enjoying a fishing party or a favorite pigeon BBQ.
Richard grew up in a family where strong Catholic faith was important. In fact he served as an alter boy for several years often serving 2 masses on a weekend. He was also good friends with Father Kelly. Dick could frequently be seen chauffeuring Father Kelly in his big black car as they traveled throughout Franklin County along with other friends to try to organize CYO groups like the one that they belonged to in Fairfax.
Pride in our great country and commitment to military service was equally important to the entire LeMay family. The LeMay family was one of the few in which all of the children served proudly in order to preserve freedom. Richard chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 16. He completed basic training at Camp Lejeune and just before shipping out to Japan he returned to Vermont for a short Christmas visit. It was a proud midnight mass for his parents who were sitting in the front pew when Fr. Kelly told Richard in front of the entire church that he would be serving as alter boy that evening. Richard knew better than to decline. He knew that when Fr Kelly said something that he meant it.
It was shortly after that Dick was shipping out of Japan only to find out that he was no longer going there because Marines were needed in Korea. He served his country with a fierce pride as all Marines did, fighting in battles from the ocean all the way up to the reservoir and the 38th parallel with the First Marine Division; 7th Motor Transport; Charlie Company. Even though he was proud to be a Marine he spoke seldom of his experiences including the fact that he was a POW. Richard attained the rank of Buck Sergeant and between active duty and reserves he served 8 years. He always said “Once a Marine Always a Marine” and he always celebrated the USMC Birthday by making calls to men who served with him.
After returning to Vermont, Richard began to really earn the title of “Trader Dick” by buying and selling cars, selling Tilo siding and roofing and buying and selling just about anything. He also worked as a recreational therapist at the Brattleboro Retreat. During those busy years he also became the father of five children: Nannette; Laurie; Gary; Greg and Kathy. Eventually Richard moved to Boston, Mass continuing in the automobile field, buying and selling cars and doing body work. During that time he met a young man who could have gone down either path. Dick liked him and took him under his wing and taught him the automobile business – from sweeping floors to being owner. In later years Robbie became a quick learner in the antique business with some knowledge passed on by “Pa”. Robbie has fondly become known as our “Eldest”. He always loved and respected Dick just like a Dad.
Things have a strange way of working out and after Richard came back to Vermont he met Jinny whom he never met in Massachusetts even though they lived one town from each other. We were truly blessed to have a little girl come into our lives by the name of Navi. This gave Dick another much desired opportunity to be Dad or Papa. He loved her completely and would do anything for her. He brought her to school; picked her up; they had Friday afternoon Papa and Navi dates at McDonalds. He thought nothing of driving 100 miles on the weekends to find a place offering pony rides so his girl could ride before eventually getting her Dustin the pony. Papa thought nothing of getting to school concerts 2 hours early because he felt he needed to be in the front row so Navi would know that he was cheering her on. Navi and her Mom gave us the chance to be God parents and for that we will forever be thankful.
During the 1980’s Trader Dick became well known throughout Vermont and beyond with a very successful antique and appraisal business. He could just about buy and sell anything put in front of him. Life was full Dick and Jinny were inseparable; they had the Eldest and a beautiful little girl in their lives. We were blessed to have Navi by our sides when we were married and our good friends Charlie and Angela Barsalow stood up for us while another close friend Fr Dennis Breton performed our ceremony on May 21, 2001 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Hyde Park, Vermont.
Another important and proud moment came in 1988 – 1989. Richard had been a Past Post Commander of VFW Post 9653. He had continued on to become District 5 Cmder. for Lamoille County and the Northeast Kingdom. During that year he along with Post Cmder Robert Dean and Dept (State) Cmder Wayne Camley, all members of Post 9653 attained the honor of being named All American Commanders. They became known as the “Dream Team” because this had been the first and only time that 3 commanders coming out of the same post in the same year were to earn their white caps. It was the thrill of a lifetime when these 3 men were honored at the VFW National Convention in Las Vegas.
Richard has also been a longtime member of another organization Bliss Lodge Odd Fellows. He made many new friendships which he treasured and as he learned about the organization he moved up into its leadership roles and was a Past Noble Grand.
Even though he experienced periodic illnesses Richard loved and thrived by being active with the antiques; the VFW; Legion; Odd Fellows and by holding several positions in our town. For many years he was the town constable; animal control officer and health officer. He loved his community and felt privileged to serve it. He had an uncanny gift of being able to tactfully defuse difficult or potentially challenging problems by simply talking to people in a respectful way and also by requiring no less from them.
One of Richard’s latest projects and greatest wish was to learn about his heritage primarily because he knew his grandmother was full blooded Abenaki. This interest brought together a wonderful reunion with his cousin Wayne from New York. Wayne had been doing much in-depth research about his Abenaki heritage and of course it overlapped what Richard had just begun. Dick and Wayne enjoyed long visits as the research progressed and through Wayne’s tireless efforts he was able to validate their Abenaki heritage. Even though Richard never got his Abenaki card because of politics within the tribal leadership he at least finally knew and was proud to say that he was Abenaki. We’ll be forever thankful for all of Brother Wayne’s efforts.
We would like to thank Dr. Cohen; Dr. Wingate; Dr. Kuhin; Dr. Hillerman and the wonderful nurses and staff that were always helpful. We will forever be appreciative.
We would like to invite all to pay their respects and to celebrate Richard’s wonderful life. Visiting hours will be held on Friday August 13, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel. During this time there will be special services conducted by the VFW and Odd Fellows as well as prayers with Reverend Julian Asucan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday August 14, 2010 at 10:00 am St. Luke Church in Fairfax with Reverend Julian Asucan and Reverend Francis Prive concelebrating. Burial will follow in the family lot in St. Luke Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded. Memorial contributions in Richard’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association, Vermont Chapter Inc. 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495. Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel, 1176 Main Street, Fairfax, VT 05454. You are invited to visit
www.awrichfuneralhomes.com where online condolences and memories can be shared.
