Richard A. Henault Sr., 81

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Richard A. Henault Sr., 81, of Pittsfield died peacefully at Berkshire Medical Center on October 5, 2016.

He was born on May 22, 1935 in Pittsfield, the son of William and Helen Henault. Richard was educated in the Pittsfield Public School system and was a graduate of Berkshire Community College, North Adams State College and American International College in Springfield, Mass. Richard proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean war.

Richard was employed as a police officer for the Pittsfield Police Department, retiring in 1993 with 28 years of service. He also graduated from the FBI Academy in 1984. Richard loved his work in law enforcement, rising through the ranks of the Pittsfield Police Department until he became the Detective Sergeant, leading the Department's Special Investigations Unit. Upon retirement he continued his work in law enforcement running Special Investigations, Inc., a successful private investigations business which he ran for many years where he was a highly sought after expert witness in Berkshire County, Springfield and Boston.

Richard also enjoyed farming and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife, the former Carol M. Wuinee, whom he married December 12, 1956, in St. Charles Church; three sons, Richard Henault and his wife Deborah of Wethersfield, Conn., Phillip Henault of Pittsfield, and Kurt Henault and his wife Sandra of Richmond, Mass.; his two daughters, Linda Dengler and her husband Donald of Brainard, N.Y., and Jill Henault of Pittsfield; his seven grandchildren, Cassidy Henault, Taylor Henault, Marnie Werner, Melissa Philips, Shauna Henault, Sarah Henault and Brian Henault; his three great-grandchildren, Justin Lee, Logan Werner and Kira Philips; his brother, William Henault of Vancouver, Wash.; his brother-in-law, Robert W. Wuinee; and good friends Dave Viner, Bill Sturgeon and Sharon Henault.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Richard A. Henault Sr., who died October 5, 2016, will be held Sunday, October 9, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, celebrated by Rev. Peter A. Gregory, Pastor of St. Charles Church.

A calling hour will precede the service beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Parkinson's Association in care of the funeral home.