Richard P. Aucoin

Richard P. Aucoin, 56, died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at his home in Worcester. A native of Waltham, Rich also had roots in Franklin where he lived for seven years, and more recently, Worcester had become home. Rich had a multitude of friends from many walks of life because he was someone anyone would be blessed to call their friend. All those who had the pleasure of knowing Rich were made instantly comfortable with, or comforted by, his genuine and caring nature; sometimes with the words he spoke, and sometimes simply with the warmth of his presence. He was someone you could always depend on to be there with a helping hand or a ready smile, whenever it was needed. A true humanitarian, Rich generously, and silently, distributed his time and money to anyone in need.

Born in Waltham on February 14, 1962, Rich was the last child of the late Edmond F. and Lillian D. (D'Olimpio) Aucoin. Rich attended St. Charles School, South Junior High and graduated from Waltham Vocational High School and I.T.T. Technical Institute. He worked for Speedline Technologies in Franklin for 21 years. Following that, he became a long-time contractor of Pro Source Inc., and was most recently placed as a CAD Engineer at Terrafugia Corporation in Woburn, where he was held in high esteem for his integral role on their flying car composite design team. He assumed that challenge with his "own brand of quiet determination", professionalism and dedication.

In addition to being a treasured friend, brother and uncle to so many, Rich was dedicated to the preservation of freedom and was a two-time recipient of the Lights of Liberty Award by the Advocates for Self-Government. He delivered dozens of speeches at high schools and colleges across Massachusetts, including the Kennedy School of Government and the Cambridge School of Weston. Since 1998, Rich was one of Massachusetts' busiest antiwar and civil liberties warriors, supporting dozens of local, legislative, congressional and presidential campaigns, including Massachusetts Oath Keepers, aimed at reducing government abuse of power. Rich was also passionate about restoring peace. In 2006, he spearheaded a successful legislative ballot measure the 10th Middlesex House District which instructed then, Democratic State Representative Peter Koutoujian, to sponsor a resolution demanding Congress to bring home the troops from the undeclared wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Committed to making a difference, Rich also ran for several public offices. In 2002, he was the Libertarian candidate for Lt. Governor of Massachusetts. On a platform of taxpayer justice, he ran, twice, for Waltham City Council. In 2011, Rich also ran for the Franklin Board of Health working to end forced fluoride medication in the town's drinking water. Most recently, he was known as "Orange Man" in the City of Worcester for his efforts with Act Now Worcester that supported a civil rights resolution guaranteeing full Bill of Rights protection for all, regardless of race, creed or color. He was also a frequent guest speaker on the Peter Blute Show on WCRN.

In his work towards peace and justice, Rich was steadfast and lived by the words of Rosa Parks: "We had no way of knowing that all our hard work and struggle would eventually pay off; we just kept putting one foot in front the other." By doing so, Rich created quite a long path of footprints that will be long-remembered and hard to follow.

Aside from investing his time in his passion for peace, justice and ever-present activism, Rich enjoyed mountain biking, Friday nights with friends at the Franklin Rod & Gun Club, music of all kinds, playing his guitar anytime and anywhere, and simply being active, whether it was playing Frisbee with his nieces and nephews or pushing his great-nieces and nephews on the swings in the exciting way only Uncle Rich could do, and spending time with his family and so many close friends.

He was the kind of son, nephew, cousin, brother and uncle anyone would be lucky to have. He was predeceased by his parents and older brother, Bernard F. Aucoin. He was the beloved "little" brother of Julie R. Ladner and her husband, Richard of Malden, Denise M. Annunciata and her husband, James of Framingham, Gerard J. Aucoin and his wife, Helene (Provencher) of Waltham; and brother-in-law of Angela (Zagami) Aucoin of Concord. He was the cherished Godfather and uncle of Darlene (Aucoin) Umina and her husband, Andy. He was the beloved and ever-youthful uncle of Matthew Ladner, Brian Ladner and his wife, Mandy, David Ladner and his wife, Aimee, Katie (Aucoin) Magni and her husband, Danny, Thomas Aucoin, Georgette Aucoin, Alicia Annunciata, Amy Annunciata and Louise Provencher. He was the super-fun, full-of-surprises, great-uncle of ten adoring great-nieces and nephews, ages eighteen months to ten years.

Family and friends will honor and remember Rich's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, February 23rd from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, before leaving in procession to the Andover Newton Theological School – Wilson Chapel at 234 Herrick Rd, Newton Centre where his Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

A period of memory sharing will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Memorials in Rich's name may be made to the American Heart Association (https://donatenow.heart.org/) and The Soup Kitchen at John Street Baptist Church (http://jsbc-worc.org/soup-kitchen.html).