Richard D. "Dick" Vinal

DRACUT- Richard D. "Dick" Vinal, passed away at the age of 83, following a period of declining health at D'Youville Center for Advanced Therapy, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

Born in Dracut on September 10, 1935, he was a son of the late Frederick and Genevieve (Fralick) Vinal. He graduated from Dracut High School and was the proud owner of Richard D. Vinal Trucking Inc. now known as R.D. Vinal & Sons.

Dick was the husband of the late Bernice "Bernie" (Slater) Vinal who preceded him in death on November 3, 2016. He is survived by his sons and daughters in law, Richard H and Kathy (Witkos), Daniel and Tricia (Hudzik) and James and Deborah (Long). Six loving grandchildren Richie Vinal and Sabrina Brushi, Kristine Vinal and Ricky Fisette, Danny Vinal and Lyndsey (McMahon), Courtney Vinal-Nguyen and Danny, Lindsay Vinal- Kantargis and Nick, Jimmy Vinal and Dayane Paixao. Two great-grand children, Kole Kantargis and Raegan Vinal. A dear niece, Leah Vinal-Short and Katie Wasylak, sister in-law Joan Vinal, good friend Leon Constantine and many nephews and dear friends, both locally and in the Twin Mountain area.

He was predeceased by his sister, Genevieve-Marie Hicks, and brothers Frederic A. and George R. Vinal.

One of Dick's favorite past times was operating the former Kenwood Slopes during the 1950's. He was an avid skier, skiing the mountain peaks of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and most memorable, Snow Mass Colorado with his sister Marie and son Dan.
He also served with the United States Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Seabees, during the 1950's.

Dick was most passionate about the Fire Departments in which he proudly served. Beginning in 1949 as a Call Member in the Dracut and Pelham Fire Departments, serving as Fire Warden and Deputy Chief, with a combined total service of nearly 60 years. He also served as a fire fighter in the Towns of Warren NH and Twin Mountain NH and serving as a Fire Fighter and Water Supply Officer in Carroll NH. Dick was a Life Member of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs as well as the D'Youville Manor Men's Guild, the 100 Club of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and the Dracut Knights of Columbus.


Dick loved spending time in Dracut and Twin Mountain. Especially time spent with his family around a campfire, skiing, snowmobiling and riding motorcycles. All very fond memories that will be forever cherished by his entire family.

A warm and loving thank you to Dick's son Jim and his granddaughters Lindsay and Kristine for the love and compassion they bestowed on Dick through his declining health. The entire Vinal Family would also like to extend a very special thank you to the compassionate, caring staff at D'Youville Center for Advanced Therapy.

VINAL - Relatives and friends are invited to Dick's Life Celebration on Tuesday from 4 until 8 PM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 11 AM in St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road, Dracut. Burial in the Richardson Cemetery, Dracut.