OLD TOWN – Richard “Dick” Grenier, 77, died peacefully Nov. 28, 2009, surrounded by family at his residence. He was born June 8, 1932, at Eagle Lake, a son of Paul Joseph and Amanda Marie (Morneault) Grenier. Dick honorably served his country during the Korean War as an infantryman in the U.S. Army. He was captured by enemy forces Nov. 2, 1950, and remained a prisoner of war for the next 33 months, being released back to U.S. Forces Aug. 7, 1953. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Service Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. During the 1960s, he owned and operated Dick’s Tavern, Old Town. He was an active member of Veterans’ of Foreign Wars Post No. 3381, American Legion Post, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1287, Disabled American Veterans’ and the AMVETS. He is survived by his wife, Rita (Wood) Grenier of Old Town; six children, Cindy Fournier and her husband, Joey, of Old Town, Rick Grenier and his wife, Janet, of Derby, Kan., Marie Caliandro and her husband, Tim, of Greenbush, Paula Ho-Gland of Orono, Tina Anderson of Alton and Paul Grenier of Old Town; 21 grandchildren, Logan, Derek, Madyson, MacKenzie, Josh, Lorrin, Ryan, Amanda, JoPat, Nick, Chuck, John, Luke, Natasha, Sharlene, Paul, Ashley, Shane, Talli, Jared and Dwan; 15 great-grandchildren, including a special great-grandson, Bradley, by whom he was known as “Old Gramps”; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, George Grenier of Old Town; two sisters, Jackie Grenier of Milford and Pauline Shorette of Bradley; a son-in-law, Scott Hesseltine of Milford; several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Sonya (Grenier) Barclay; infant daughter, Ann; brother, Herbert Grenier; and two sisters, Jeanne Stuart and Rolande Michaud. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Monday and 1-3 p.m. Tuesday at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St., Old Town, where a funeral service will be conducted 3 p.m. Tuesday and full military honors will be presented. Immediately after the service, all are invited to the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars Post, Water Street, for a light luncheon and continued fellowship. Private burial services will be held at a later date at West Enfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sonya A. (Grenier) Barclay Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Jane Thibodeau, 45 Davis St., Old Town, ME 04468. Those who wish to post a personal tribute or view an online memorial may do so through www.mem.com.
RICHARD ‘DICK’ GRENIER
