Cummington, MA – Reverend Richard Thomas Fournier, departed this life, as he lived it, with love in his heart, humor and “embraced” by family and friends, near and far, on December 2, 2025.
Born on July 18, 1950 in Boston to Margaret and Francis Fournier, he was the middle of three children. His parents met at Perkins School for the Blind. Although both parents were blind, Rich’s childhood stories are fun-filled with antics that he and his brother Skip and sister Ginger got up to with neighborhood friends and their large extended family.
After graduating from Boston Latin School Rich went onto Colby College where he formed lifelong friendships often sharing stories about sports achievements, pranks and bad jokes, a particular Rich specialty. He married Pauline Scanlon in 1977 and both went on to pursue respected careers in service to others and raised their spirited daughter Sarah Fournier-Scanlon.
Rich received his Divinity degree from Boston University and was ordained in the West Cummington Congregational Church in 1981 where he became a beloved minister and for congregations to come. He retired from the Mary Lyon Church in Buckland in 2024 where he had become a cherished minister of his congregation for 17 years and was the first serving minister to marry in that church to wife, Luahn Page. At the time of his retirement the congregation honored Rich by making him Pastor Emeritus.
In addition to touching hearts through his humor and humanity, Rich reached many through his rigorous intellect including becoming a Thomas Merton Scholar. Beyond pastoral care he counseled people through dark times into the light.
Dear to his heart was his work with the NGO Polus Center International aiding landmine victims, refugees from war torn countries and more. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life was unique to him. The many people whose lives Rich touched around the world and close to home have been made better knowing him.
He leaves behind his much loved daughter Sarah Fournier-Scanlon; wife Luahn Page, her daughter Joia and husband Travis Garner; sister Virginia and brother-in-law Stuart Azarchi and their family; five grandchildren, and multitudes of dear friends. He lived life well and touched many hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Mary Lyon Church, 17 Upper Street, Buckland on December 6 at 11am. Donations can be made to Hilltown Land Trust or Mary Lyon Church.
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