Richard M Touchette

Richard Michael Touchette, age 48, of Lynnfield, MA (formerly of Orlando, FL), died peacefully on February 3, 2022, after a complex and lengthy illness. Richard was a devoted and attentive father to his seven-year-old son, CJ (Christopher James) Touchette. Born on August 1, 1973, Richard was the youngest of five children, and leaves behind his adoring and loving parents, Peter and Joanne Touchette of Lynnfield.

Richard is survived by his siblings: John Touchette and his wife Jacqui of Harwich Port, MA, Michael Touchette and his wife Louise of Lynnfield, MA, Robin Lauziere and her husband Tommy of Lynnfield, MA, and Bobby Touchette of Bonita Springs, FL, along with his nieces and nephews: Jocelyn Velush, Justin Touchette, Alexa Giuffre, Briana Lauziere, Jonathan Touchette, Taylor Ashwell, Britney Touchette and Tiffany Touchette. The entire family bonded together over the last five years to support, protect, and advocate for Richard, each contributing in their own way to give Richard every possible chance to survive and thrive.

Richard was also loved by his great nephews, Landry Velush and Preston Ashwell and great niece Addison Ashwell along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and teammates. Richard’s passions included all sports and spending time with his entire family but especially his son CJ, who was the light of his life. Richard grew up in Malden and Lynnfield, MA and was a proud member of the Lynnfield Pioneers Hockey Team. He could pretty much skate before he could walk (or talk) and always had a hockey stick in his hand. He would remind his dad and siblings to bring a second stick to every game “in case one breaks.”

Richard was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect shortly after his birth. He was the youngest person at the time, at two months old, to receive the surgically complex “mustard procedure” to reverse the effects of the transposition of his great arteries. His story was documented in medical journals and ultimately saved numerous lives as his successful surgery set the path for generations of future infants.

In 2017, he received a heart transplant after anxiously waiting in the hospital for five months, while tethered to life-saving IV’s. Sadly, post-transplant, he had only two good days before a rare bacterial infection caused a debilitating brain injury that forever changed him and his life trajectory. His heartbreaking medical experiences will, again, save many lives over the coming decades as new medical protocols have been put in place for future heart transplant patients based on his experience.

Despite a lengthy post-transplant coma, an extensive recuperation period, and being hospitalized for over one year, Richard again beat the odds and learned to talk, walk, eat, sing, dance and recognize his family. His journey did not end there, as he spent the next four years being taken care of by his loving family, in and out of numerous medical facilities. The Touchette family offers their heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of caretakers, nurses, and doctors who offered compassionate care and assistance to Richard around the clock during his illness.

Richard was put on this earth to be an inspiration to the rest of us. He loved living and made friends every place he went. He was a fighter throughout his entire life and certainly until the very end. He was brave, strong, determined and loving. Despite his illnesses, he lived each moment to the max and loved his family unconditionally. The entire Touchette family will never hear the song “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” without smiling and remembering Richard’s passion and lust for life. The family would sing with him “I want to know, have you ever seen the rain? Comin' down on a sunny day?” Always with an emphasis on the word “rain.” Richard’s life was full of rainy days, but he always chose to look at the bright side. For Richard, life was not about waiting for the storm to pass, it was about learning to dance in the rain. He will be forever missed but his love and legacy will live on through CJ.

Funeral services will be private for the family, followed by interment at Forest Hills Cemetery in Lynnfield. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy can be made in Richard’s name to the Boston Children’s Hospital Trust Donate Today - Boston Children's Hospital (childrenshospital.org) or the CJ Touchette Trust which has been established to support CJ’s education. Donations to the trust can be sent to the Salvatore Rocco and Sons Funeral Home 331 Main Street, Everett, MA 02149.

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