Richard E. Messier, 77, of Irasburg, Vermont passed away suddenly on November 24, 2016 in Newport. He was born on December 30, 1938 in Franklin, VT to Elphege and Hilda (Garrow) Messier. On May 9, 1959 he married Joyce Lawson who predeceased him on November 16, 1999.

He graduated from Newport Center High School. He was a dairy farmer all of his life on the family farm in Irasburg. Hi hobbies included hunting, fishing with Jim Greenwood, gardening, mowing his lawn and in his younger years square dancing with Joyce.

He is survived by his companion Margaret Meunier and her family of Newport Center, VT, by his children: Clifford Messier of Brownington, VT, Tammy Charland and her husband Donald Jr of Derby, VT, Kenny Messier and his wife Ann Marie of Evansville, VT, Leonard Messier and his wife Robin of Lowell, VT, by his daughter-in-law Jean Messier of Newport Center, VT, by his grandchildren: Shaun Messier of Holland, VT, Rodney Messier of NH, April Messier of Michigan, Derrick Charland of Newport Center, VT, Jeff Charland of Derby, VT, Katie Charland of Derby, VT, Jessica Messier of Newport, VT, Scott Messier of NY, Tracy Messier of Newport, VT, Amy Grady of Orleans, VT, Sarah Fleurie of Barton, VT, Adam Messier of Newport, VT, and Sarah Fournier of Lowell, VT, and 22 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters: Jeannette Davis and her husband Landon of NY, Pauline Pooler of Newport, VT, Diane Geoffrey of Lowell, VT, Pat Royer and her husband Gerry of Derby, VT, and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son Michael Messier on November 7, 2005.

Friends may call from 7-9 P.M. on Monday November 28, 2016 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday November 29, 2016 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Orleans where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Rev. Timothy Naples. Spring interment in Coventry Village Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of one's choice. On line condolences at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.