• Richard Brian Raleigh

Richard Brian Raleigh, age 71, passed away peacefully at the University of Vermont Medical Center on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. A native of Swanton, Richard had been a resident of St. Albans Rehabilitation for the past year.

Born in Hartford, CT on, September 22, 1943, he was the son of the late John and Flora (Bombardier) Raleigh. In his early years, Richard served in the US Army and on May 1, 1965, was married to Sharon Henry of Alburgh, VT. Together they ran Bob & Dick's Diner in Swanton with his brother Robert. Richard was employed by Anderson Cement & Trucking and the Foundry of Swanton, as well as Mylan Technologies. He was a lifelong parishioner of The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Swanton, served on the Board of Civil Authority as a Justice of the Peace and was a proud member of the Democratic Party. He also coached Little League baseball in Swanton for many years and touched many lives along the way.

Richard was a gifted story-teller and enjoyed visiting with his many friends and relatives in Vermont and North Carolina. He especially loved watching his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews play sports and travelled to many locations to do so

Richard is survived by his wife of 45 years- Sharon Raleigh of Swanton, VT and his four children: Brian Raleigh, wife Jill and their children- Mikayla, Jake, Shaelyn and Brandon of Raleigh, NC- Jeff Raleigh, wife Deirdre and their children- Dakota and Jack of Swanton, VT - Sarah Kilts, husband Thom and their children Indra and Bodhi of Brampton, Ontario and Martha Gillen, husband Matt and their children Eleanor and Grace of Greenville, NC. He also leaves three sisters: Margaret O'Brien of Albany, NY; Jacqueline Quilliam of Edgewater, FL; and Maureen Bigelow of Swanton, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his brother Robert, his infant brother John Richard Raleigh II, his nephews John Richard Raleigh III and Billy Bigelow, and brothers -in-law William O'Brien, Reginald Quilliam and Carl Bigelow.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 18, 2015, 11a.m. from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 65 Canada St., Swanton, VT. Father Thomas D. Nadeau will be the celebrant and homilist. The Rite of Committal and Interment with full military honors will follow at the Raleigh Family Lot in Greenwood Cemetery Route 7, St. Albans, VT.

Friends may call at The Kidder Memorial Home , 89 Grand Ave. Swanton, on Sunday May 17, 2015, from 2-4 and 7-9pm.

Gifts in Richard’s memory may be made to the John Raleigh Scholarship Fund, 2 Champlain Commons, Suite #5, Route 7, St. Albans, VT 05478

To offer private online condolences please visit: kiddermemorialhome.com