Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 05/Sep/2025 71.223.128.109
Richard "Rit" Coulard, 96, a resident of The Villages, Florida, went to be with the Lord peacefully at home on August 25, 2025 surrounded by his family and loved ones. Born August 6, 1929 in Newburgh, NY, to Joseph A. Coulard (Couillard) and Francis Finnen, he was the third of 7 children. He was predeceased in death by both parents, his brothers Joe, Jim, Frank and Gordon (Jigger) and his sisters Terry and Jean. Richard loved sports and participated in many school teams at Newburgh Free Academy where he was a 1947 graduate. Although not tall enough to play basketball he helped manage the Varsity Team at NFA and due to his athleticism and speed, quickly acquired the nickname "rabbit." Richard was a top long pipe speed skater and competed in many races on Delano Hitch Park's arena during the winter months. His family history was very special to Richard and one that brought him great pride. His 8th generation great-grandfather and 8th generation great-grandmother (Guillame and Guillamette (Hebert) Couillard) are known in Canada as being one of the founding families of Quebec. Richard was also very proud of his strong Native American heritage and was a proud member of the Metis First Nation Indian Tribe with numerous Native American Grandmothers in his family lineage. Richard also attended St. Mary's Catholic School and was the first in his family to be an altar boy for St. Mary's Church. In 1956 Rit met his soon to be wife, Joy Butkus, on a blind date and they were married later that year. They moved to Dwarkill, NY where they spent the next four years building by hand their home which was their pride and joy. Richard loved living in the country and remained in Dwarkill until 1987 when they moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be closer to their children. In the mid-1950's Richard worked with Richie and Bobby Kernahan in their own roofing business. In 1963 Rit started working at IBM East Fishkill where he remained until his retirement in 1987. Richard was very active in the community and took great pride in being a member of the Shawangunk Valley Fire Department and Ambulance Corp. where he achieved the title of lifetime member and Ambulance Corp. Lieutenant. He participated in many activities the fire department held and especially enjoyed playing on their softball team He loved the outdoors and spent many years fishing and hunting in Upstate New York. This love of nature was thankfully passed down to his children and grandchildren. Richard was also very involved in all of the sports his three children and grandchildren participated in. Through the years he would laughingly remind his family how many nights and ultimately years he spent driving from work to a game with a fast-food sandwich as his dinner on the way! There wasn't a game he missed and for 35 years he happily traveled throughout the east coast watching his family participate in track and field meets, volleyball, softball, baseball, field hockey, competitive cheerleading and basketball games and tournaments. In 2005 Richard and Joy moved to Holden Beach, NC where he thrived living at the North Carolina coast. He spent many days beach fishing and enjoyed participating in the Methodist Men's Group at Sharon United Methodist Church. He also was thrilled to work at the Pool and Beach Club on Holden Beach for Winding River Country Club where he was fondly known as the "pool boy". Rit reminded people he had the enviable job of watching the people in the pool and on the beach (and swore he never looked at a woman in a bikini)! He promised he was going to work until he turned 90, which was exactly what he did. Rit worked every summer until he did turn 90 which was when he decided it was finally time to retire. After his retirement Rit and Joy decided to move to a warmer climate where they settled in The Villages, Florida. While in The Villages he and his wife took their golf car out everyday to look at alligators, sandhill cranes and bald eagles. Rit was known for being as tough as nails even as various ailments attacked his body. Through four bouts of lung cancer (with two partial lobectomies), back surgery, a knee replacement and eventually Guillaume Barre illness he contracted after a flu shot, Richard still pushed hard and persevered at trying to stay active. In late 2024 Rit was diagnosed with dementia which progressed very quickly. He ended up in a wheelchair and had to move to a local memory care facility where he resided until his death. Richard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joy Patricia Butkus. His daughter Joy (Dale) Hancock of The Villages, Fl, daughter Jill Coulard of Bloomingburg, NY, son Richard (Polly) Coulard of Longs, SC, grandson Chris (Amanda) Adams of Wilmington, NC, granddaughter Brittany O'Neil (Dylan Vaughan) of Wilmington, NC, grandson Steele Boynton (Ally) of Franklin, TN, grandson Tanner Boynton of Monroe, NY, and great-granddaughters Zoey O'Neil and Lily Adams of Wilmington, NC. He is also survived by his brother-in-law John W. Butkus and sister-in-laws Vicky Vanderessen and Barbara Farrell. He is survived by nieces and nephews Alex, Abby, Jimmy, Kim, Karen, Kristen, Todd, Teri and Tricia along with family friend David Adams. Richard has been cremated and plans for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff of The Harrison Memory Care and ALF and especially his best friend and caretaker Rashena. They would also like to thank the staff of Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages for their friendship and wisdom as his family walked through this very difficult journey. Anyone who would like to make a contribution in Richard's name can do so to the Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in NYC (online at ) or the Shawangunk Valley Fire Department 2150 Brunswick Road Wallkill, NY 12589 Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it is a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, even if it is a long way from here. Hold on to your life, even if it is easier to let go. Hold on to my hand, even if someday I'll be gone away from you. ~Crowfoot, Blackfoot Warrior To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by 352 Today on Sep. 4, 2025. Baldwin Brothers Funerals & Cremation Society - The Villages/Spanish Spring 1008 Bichara Boulevard, The Villages, FL 32159
Richard "Rit" Coulard, 96, a resident of The Villages, Florida, went to be with the Lord peacefully at home on August 25, 2025 surrounded by his family and loved ones. Born August 6, 1929 in Newburgh, NY, to Joseph A. Coulard (Couillard) and Francis Finnen, he was the third of 7 children. He was predeceased in death by both parents, his brothers Joe, Jim, Frank and Gordon (Jigger) and his sisters Terry and Jean. Richard loved sports and participated in many school teams at Newburgh Free Academy where he was a 1947 graduate. Although not tall enough to play basketball he helped manage the Varsity Team at NFA and due to his athleticism and speed, quickly acquired the nickname "rabbit." Richard was a top long pipe speed skater and competed in many races on Delano Hitch Park's arena during the winter months. His family history was very special to Richard and one that brought him great pride. His 8th generation great-grandfather and 8th generation great-grandmother (Guillame and Guillamette (Hebert) Couillard) are known in Canada as being one of the founding families of Quebec. Richard was also very proud of his strong Native American heritage and was a proud member of the Metis First Nation Indian Tribe with numerous Native American Grandmothers in his family lineage. Richard also attended St. Mary's Catholic School and was the first in his family to be an altar boy for St. Mary's Church. In 1956 Rit met his soon to be wife, Joy Butkus, on a blind date and they were married later that year. They moved to Dwarkill, NY where they spent the next four years building by hand their home which was their pride and joy. Richard loved living in the country and remained in Dwarkill until 1987 when they moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be closer to their children. In the mid-1950's Richard worked with Richie and Bobby Kernahan in their own roofing business. In 1963 Rit started working at IBM East Fishkill where he remained until his retirement in 1987. Richard was very active in the community and took great pride in being a member of the Shawangunk Valley Fire Department and Ambulance Corp. where he achieved the title of lifetime member and Ambulance Corp. Lieutenant. He participated in many activities the fire department held and especially enjoyed playing on their softball team He loved the outdoors and spent many years fishing and hunting in Upstate New York. This love of nature was thankfully passed down to his children and grandchildren. Richard was also very involved in all of the sports his three children and grandchildren participated in. Through the years he would laughingly remind his family how many nights and ultimately years he spent driving from work to a game with a fast-food sandwich as his dinner on the way! There wasn't a game he missed and for 35 years he happily traveled throughout the east coast watching his family participate in track and field meets, volleyball, softball, baseball, field hockey, competitive cheerleading and basketball games and tournaments. In 2005 Richard and Joy moved to Holden Beach, NC where he thrived living at the North Carolina coast. He spent many days beach fishing and enjoyed participating in the Methodist Men's Group at Sharon United Methodist Church. He also was thrilled to work at the Pool and Beach Club on Holden Beach for Winding River Country Club where he was fondly known as the "pool boy". Rit reminded people he had the enviable job of watching the people in the pool and on the beach (and swore he never looked at a woman in a bikini)! He promised he was going to work until he turned 90, which was exactly what he did. Rit worked every summer until he did turn 90 which was when he decided it was finally time to retire. After his retirement Rit and Joy decided to move to a warmer climate where they settled in The Villages, Florida. While in The Villages he and his wife took their golf car out everyday to look at alligators, sandhill cranes and bald eagles. Rit was known for being as tough as nails even as various ailments attacked his body. Through four bouts of lung cancer (with two partial lobectomies), back surgery, a knee replacement and eventually Guillaume Barre illness he contracted after a flu shot, Richard still pushed hard and persevered at trying to stay active. In late 2024 Rit was diagnosed with dementia which progressed very quickly. He ended up in a wheelchair and had to move to a local memory care facility where he resided until his death. Richard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joy Patricia Butkus. His daughter Joy (Dale) Hancock of The Villages, Fl, daughter Jill Coulard of Bloomingburg, NY, son Richard (Polly) Coulard of Longs, SC, grandson Chris (Amanda) Adams of Wilmington, NC, granddaughter Brittany O'Neil (Dylan Vaughan) of Wilmington, NC, grandson Steele Boynton (Ally) of Franklin, TN, grandson Tanner Boynton of Monroe, NY, and great-granddaughters Zoey O'Neil and Lily Adams of Wilmington, NC. He is also survived by his brother-in-law John W. Butkus and sister-in-laws Vicky Vanderessen and Barbara Farrell. He is survived by nieces and nephews Alex, Abby, Jimmy, Kim, Karen, Kristen, Todd, Teri and Tricia along with family friend David Adams. Richard has been cremated and plans for a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff of The Harrison Memory Care and ALF and especially his best friend and caretaker Rashena. They would also like to thank the staff of Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages for their friendship and wisdom as his family walked through this very difficult journey. Anyone who would like to make a contribution in Richard's name can do so to the Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in NYC (online at ) or the Shawangunk Valley Fire Department 2150 Brunswick Road Wallkill, NY 12589 Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it is a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, even if it is a long way from here. Hold on to your life, even if it is easier to let go. Hold on to my hand, even if someday I'll be gone away from you. ~Crowfoot, Blackfoot Warrior