Obituary for Richard Leo "Dick" Lefebvre
Richard Leo “Dick” Lefebvre, embarked on a new adventure on August 6, 2020, passing from natural causes, having spent several months battling difficult medical issues. Dick was born in Burlington July 7, 1948 to the late John and Rita (McGrath) Lefebvre.
Dick will be warmly remembered for his loving heart, generosity, and especially his wonderful cooking skills. He worked at Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House, Howard Johnson’s, the Medical Center Hospital, Birchwood Terrace and Wake Robin. For several years he owned his own restaurant (Del’s Pizza, later LaCucina) and Delightful Experience Catering. During this time, Dick would frequently open the doors of his restaurant to share holiday meals with his friends in the LGBTQ community who had no family to celebrate with.
There was nothing in Dick's life more important to him than his family. He took great pleasure in having large family gatherings where he would serve amazing food. Halloween and Christmas were his favorites. He relished decorating his home like a showplace, and creating beautiful wrappings for the gifts he was giving. His nieces and nephews brought him much joy, and no one could have ever asked for a better uncle.
Dick attended Cathedral Grammar School and Burlington High School, where he studied culinary arts, graduating in 1966. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, where he sang in the men and boys’ choir and served as an altar boy. Music was always a big part of Dick’s life. He could play any instrument he picked up, and sang with a beautiful tenor voice. He enjoyed all types of music, from classical to rock and roll to disco to Big Band. He was also a terrific dancer.
Dick loved driving fast cars and took pleasure in driving the backroads, exploring the nooks and crannies of Vermont’s roadways and finding different ways to get to destinations, always with music playing and everyone in the car singing along.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff at Elderwood Rehabilitation Center, UVM Medical Center and the McClure Respite House, Dr. John Wright and Dr. Edward Terrien for the excellent and kind care and treatment they provided to Dick, especially in the last months of his life.
In addition to his parents, Dick was also predeceased by his two older brothers, James “Jimmy” and John “Bobby.” He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret (Edward “Butch”) Dorey, Mary (Barry) Stevens, Theresa “Terry” Lefebvre, and Barb (Greg) Thayer; nieces Lori Groff, Lisa Lefebvre-Barr, Michelle (Larry) Rodriguez, Suzanne (Rob Kirker) Lefebvre, Kiley (Seth Manchester) Thayer, Jenna Thayer; nephews Daniel (Raquel) Lefebvre, Jeffrey (Carol) Stevens, Nicholas (Kristin) Thayer; great-nieces Sadie Stevens, Caitlin Stevens, Diana Lefebvre; Gloria Thayer, Poppy Thayer; great-nephews Jacob Lefebvre, Samuel Barr, Owen Barr, Shane Seals; Calvin Thayer, Myles Thayer; great-great nephews Colton Barr and Indigo Manchester; and many cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial and a celebration of Dick's life will be scheduled at a later date, when it is safe for family and friends to come together and hug one another. In lieu of flowers, a contribution made in Dick's name to your favorite charity will be appreciated.
Dick will be warmly remembered for his loving heart, generosity, and especially his wonderful cooking skills. He worked at Aunt Sarah’s Pancake House, Howard Johnson’s, the Medical Center Hospital, Birchwood Terrace and Wake Robin. For several years he owned his own restaurant (Del’s Pizza, later LaCucina) and Delightful Experience Catering. During this time, Dick would frequently open the doors of his restaurant to share holiday meals with his friends in the LGBTQ community who had no family to celebrate with.
There was nothing in Dick's life more important to him than his family. He took great pleasure in having large family gatherings where he would serve amazing food. Halloween and Christmas were his favorites. He relished decorating his home like a showplace, and creating beautiful wrappings for the gifts he was giving. His nieces and nephews brought him much joy, and no one could have ever asked for a better uncle.
Dick attended Cathedral Grammar School and Burlington High School, where he studied culinary arts, graduating in 1966. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, where he sang in the men and boys’ choir and served as an altar boy. Music was always a big part of Dick’s life. He could play any instrument he picked up, and sang with a beautiful tenor voice. He enjoyed all types of music, from classical to rock and roll to disco to Big Band. He was also a terrific dancer.
Dick loved driving fast cars and took pleasure in driving the backroads, exploring the nooks and crannies of Vermont’s roadways and finding different ways to get to destinations, always with music playing and everyone in the car singing along.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff at Elderwood Rehabilitation Center, UVM Medical Center and the McClure Respite House, Dr. John Wright and Dr. Edward Terrien for the excellent and kind care and treatment they provided to Dick, especially in the last months of his life.
In addition to his parents, Dick was also predeceased by his two older brothers, James “Jimmy” and John “Bobby.” He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret (Edward “Butch”) Dorey, Mary (Barry) Stevens, Theresa “Terry” Lefebvre, and Barb (Greg) Thayer; nieces Lori Groff, Lisa Lefebvre-Barr, Michelle (Larry) Rodriguez, Suzanne (Rob Kirker) Lefebvre, Kiley (Seth Manchester) Thayer, Jenna Thayer; nephews Daniel (Raquel) Lefebvre, Jeffrey (Carol) Stevens, Nicholas (Kristin) Thayer; great-nieces Sadie Stevens, Caitlin Stevens, Diana Lefebvre; Gloria Thayer, Poppy Thayer; great-nephews Jacob Lefebvre, Samuel Barr, Owen Barr, Shane Seals; Calvin Thayer, Myles Thayer; great-great nephews Colton Barr and Indigo Manchester; and many cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial and a celebration of Dick's life will be scheduled at a later date, when it is safe for family and friends to come together and hug one another. In lieu of flowers, a contribution made in Dick's name to your favorite charity will be appreciated.