Joseph Normand Richer died peacefully at home on November 20, 2012. He was born on October 25, 1922 in New Bedford, MA, the son of Alice (Jodoin) and Leo Richer. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and graduated from American International College in Springfield, MA. He had several different careers in the busness world during his lifetime, as well as an active retirement. He served as a pioneering advocate for children with special needs and assisted countless families in accessing much needed services for their children on Cape Cod in the 1970's. Among his many interests, he enjoyed fishing, sailing, golf, skiing, and woodworking. However, what he enjoyed the most was spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of sixty six years, Jeanne (Maltempo) Richer, his son Jason Richer, his two daughters, Nikki Richer and Julie Bradley, his son-in-law Kevin Bradley, his grandson Daniel Bradley, as well as many special nieces and nephews. He shall be remembered, above all, as a great family man and a friend to all. Donations may be made in his honor to the MACC Food Pantry P.O. Box 3804 Manchester, CT 06045. Funeral service will be held on Saturday (November 24, 2012) at 11 am at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester followed by burial in East Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 9:30 - 11:00. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.