Richard Marvin Brosseau

Richard M. Brosseau, 81, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 30, 2021, at UVM Medical Center. Richard was born on October 29, 1940, in Burlington, Vermont, the son of Virginia "Jean" (Hardy) Zelek and Joseph Zelek. Richard had an adventurous & courageous spirit with ancestors who are some of the earliest settlers in North America. Richard lived out his dream to have a "house on the hill" with the perfect view of Mount Mansfield from his dining room window and enough land to raise animals, grow a beautiful garden and provide a home filled with honesty, love, fun, and stability. Richard came from humble beginnings. He helped raise his two younger sisters with his working parents and was proud to have bought his first bicycle from working a job as a paperboy. He attended Burlington High School and served in the United States Navy as a Machinist Mate aboard the USS Intrepid. Richard worked for 30 years at IBM as a machinist. He put his family first and thought "out of the box", was purposeful and wise with a youthful spirit. Richard also worked hard on his home and his property, and it made him happy to give his family the blessings he never had as a kid. He was an avid reader, a dog whisperer, the family chef, and a gifted storyteller. Richard enjoyed many hobbies including metal detecting, hunting, fishing, motorcycling, music, TV, gardening, tinkering and, as he called it, "puttering" in the garage. Richard moved mountains for his family and had such a big heart. His family will always remember the special moments like when he would wake in the morning, do a little dance and express appreciation for the things he had. Richard leaves behind his beloved wife, Joyce (Linnane) Brosseau, who stood by his side through thick and thin during 56 years of marriage. Joyce and his daughter Chris were the family heroes who provided daily loving care for Richard. Chris calls him one of God's Warriors for overcoming many obstacles throughout his life. Richard's fighting spirit shone through most brightly when faced with significant health challenges in recent years. Richard is survived by his oldest daughter Michelle Racine and her husband Michael; daughter Stacey and her partner Keith Garratt, their children Jonathan, Alyssa, Patrick, and Sarah; daughter Christine Legler and her husband Michael, their daughter Courtney, her husband Eric Languirand, and their daughter Lauren. Richard also leaves behind his sister Linda Goodrich, her husband Paul, his nephews, and their families: Scott and Jill Goodrich and daughters Samantha and Hannah, Bryan Goodrich, John and Danielle Goodrich, and their son Emmett, nephew Michael Cross and niece Sabrina Bachman along with his cousin Donna Bora and her husband Dana. Richard is predeceased by his mother Virginia Zelek, stepfather Joseph Zelek, sister Rosemary Hunsaker, biological father Orville Brosseau, and his wife Katherine. Services for Richard will be planned later. The family thanks all who have expressed their love and support through this difficult time and wishes that no donations or flowers be sent and welcome you to share your memories of Richard.