Richard Alan Maynard Jr

Richard Alan Maynard Jr, age 62, passed away unexpectedly on September 23, 2023, in his Leominster home. He was born on December 30, 1960, to the late Richard A. and Suzanne T. (Sevigny) Maynard.

Richard or Dickie, as he was known by most, attended Fitchburg Public Schools graduating from Fitchburg High School class of 1978. Serving with the United States Marine Corps from 1978-1982, he earned an honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant. He was so proud to follow his father and uncles’ footsteps. He served with the Massachusetts National Guard.  

Richard attended Fitchburg State University earning his BSE and later went on to earn a his MSE degree at Cambridge College. He began his teaching career in September 1989 as a 5th grade teacher at South Street Elementary School.  He then went on to teach at B. F. Brown Middle School and Longsjo Middle School before retiring in June 2020. During his career he received the Warren Litsky Award for Outstanding Teacher of the Year and was selected as a member of Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

Through his science curriculum, Dickie, who was born with a "green thumb" introduced thousands of Fitchburg youth to his passion for urban gardening.  Access to the gardens harvest was open to the students, their families and the community.  Former students would tell him that gardening was their favorite part of the school’s curriculum. Richard's love for gardening extended to his own home.  At the end of the summer, his gardens were teeming with corn, tomatoes and peppers along with giant sunflowers, wildflowers, butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. 

Dickie loved fishing for trout with his sons at his favorite "honey holes". He was an avid reader of biographies and memoirs and especially loved military history.  He also loved listening to music on his Bose headphones. He’d say, “Joycee you’ve got to listen to this song with these headphones.  You’ll be amazed at the sound quality, and you’ll hear things you’ve never heard before. The real words”.

Richard’s family was his world.  He was immensely proud of his sons, Gregory and James. He spent countless hours encouraging them from the sidelines of football and baseball games and rugby matches.  He recently watched and cheered James on as he participated in Cross-fit competitions. Dickie was affectionately known as "Pops" to his grandchildren Logan and Abby.  They brought him immense joy and laughter. He loved being outside with them planting tomatoes, kicking soccer balls and taking them for walks at Doyle Conservation Area to find salamanders and snakes.  He also loved reading his favorite children's books to them. He will forever remain in their hearts.

Richard is survived by his wife of 38 years, Joyce (LaFleur) Maynard of Leominster MA, son Gregory and his wife Stephanie along with his grandchildren Logan and Abigail Maynard of Hubbardston, MA., son James Maynard of Barre, MA. He leaves his sisters Margaret Grier of Westminster, MA, Marcia (James) Harrison of Rochester, MA, Melanie Maynard of Lynn, MA, Melissa (Denis) Barrette of Wareham, MA, Stephanie Harlow of Little Compton RI, sister-in-law, Janice LaFleur of Leominster, MA and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers-in-law James LaFleur and David Harlow.

Richard`s funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from the Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St. Leominster, with a funeral mass at 11am at St. Cecilias Church, 180 Mechanic St. Burial with military honors will be held at a later date in the Massachusetts Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon MA. Calling hours in the funeral home are Monday October 2, from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, https://lovetotherescue.org/ or to Boston Childrens Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave. Boston MA. 02115. 

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