NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Lionel Joseph Richard, 90, of North Adams, Mass., a longtime area attorney, died Saturday May 20, 2017, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.



He was born in Lacolle, Quebec, Canada, on October 7, 1926, son of Isadore and Rosia (Lecuyer) Richard. He came to North Adams at age three and became a U.S. citizen at age eighteen. Lionel attended the Notre Dame Parochial School and graduated from Assumption College in 1945. He graduated from Boston College Law School in 1955 and also earned his doctorate there.



Lionel was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946, serving in the Philippines on the island of Luzon.



Lionel began practicing law in North Adams in 1955 under Attorney John Alberti and shortly thereafter went into private practice. He maintained his law office in North Adams for many years until his retirement. Lionel served as the North Adams City Solicitor under Mayor Joseph Bianco and was an Assistant District Attorney under Anthony Ruberto.



He was a member of the American Legion and the Berkshire Bar Association. Lionel was a communicant of the former Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur Church. He loved skiing and was a passionate Notre Dame football fan. Lionel was very proud of his French heritage.



His wife was Helen Joyce (Harrington) Richard, who died on June 5, 2013.  They were married on June 27, 1953.



Survivors include two daughters, Diane M. Morrissey and her husband Lawrence and Julie Richard O'Donovan, both of North Adams; one son, Steven M. Richard of North Adams, with whom he made his home; three grandsons, including Shaun Morrissey of Georgetown, Mass., and Ryan Morrissey and Brannon O'Donovan, both of North Adams; two great-grandchildren and one on the way, including Conor and Emma Morrissey of Georgetown, Mass.; one brother, Normand Richard of New Windsor, N.Y.; and nieces and nephews.



He was predeceased by three sons and one daughter at birth.



Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Lionel Richard will be celebrated Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview cemetery.



Calling hours at are Wednesday, May 24, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St., North Adams.  Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in care of the funeral home.