Community grief-stricken by loss of iconic figure

ST. AGATHA – One week before the community had planned a benefit dinner and dance in his and his wife’s honor, an iconic figure in St. Agatha has succumbed to the cancer he was fighting.

RICHARD 'DICK' DEROSIER

Along with his wife Carol, Richard “Dick” Derosier built the Lakeview Restaurant to what it is today, starting with a renovated garage diner. The couple raised their three daughters, Lisa, Becky, and Jen, while working the restaurant and adding onto their business.

Two summers ago, the unthinkable happened. Physicians diagnosed Dick with cancer. Shortly thereafter, the couple received more devastating news as Carol also took ill. Since then, the entire family has been involved in a vigorous fight against time, flying to treatment facilities both in and out-of-state with the help of Angel Flight. Lisa, Becky, and Jen all still live in the St. John Valley with their husbands and children and have been by their parents’ sides through it all, even flying with them as far as Philadelphia for treatments.

The community has offered support through words of encouragement and offering assistance in various ways. Dick was a fixture at the restaurant he built. Over the years he served the establishment in nearly every capacity. Today, his youngest daughter Jen manages the business, but Dick was still a common sight at the bar and in the dining room, and made his customers feel right at home with his warm greetings and engaging conversation.

It stands to reason then that the community is grieving his loss as they might that of a friend or family member. Beurmond Banville, former St. Agatha selectman and current civic leader, said that the St. John Valley community will mourn his loss, but will treasure the legacy he leaves behind.

“St. Agatha has lost a businessman and a friend of the community,” said Banville. “The Derosiers started the Lakeview from their kitchen over 25 years ago, and created a star in this small community. I remember him trying new things, concerts, motorcycle rallies and auto races in his backfield. He worked hard at those and brought people into the community.

“His spirit will be missed. He went from farming to restauranteering and the family made a go of it. The Lakeview they created is a remembering point of St. Agatha for many people who come to enjoy our lake and area.”

The Lakeview Restaurant provided first jobs to many of the youth in the community, including the current St. Agatha Town Manager Christy Sirois.

“I have known Dick since I was 16 when he gave me my first job as a bus girl at the restaurant. He was a great man to work for and also learn from,” offered Sirois. “Dick was a well-respected member of the community and supported the town in countless ways. He will be missed by all.”

On Feb. 25, friends of the family organized a benefit dinner and dance to help with the financial burdens brought on by traveling to and from treatment facilities. The benefit will take place as planned at the Frenchville Community Center on Saturday from 4:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the St. Agatha Town Office and are $10 for the dinner and dance. Organizers are also accepting donations, which interested individuals can mail to the Town of St. Agatha, C/O Fire Department, PO Box 315, St. Agatha, ME 04772.

Family and friends may attend his viewing at the Michaud Funeral Home in St. Agatha on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. until time of services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday Feb. 24 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in St. Agatha with the Rev. Jacques Lapointe officiating. Committal services will be held in the spring in St. Agatha. For those who desire, donations may be contributed in his memory to the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund with envelopes available at the funeral home; or to the Angel Flight of New England, 492 Sutton St., North Andover, MA 01845. Condolences may be sent to www.michaudfuneralhomes.com.