Infectious laugh and an incredibly kind heart
Bradley James Richaud
Nov. 30, 1966 – April 10, 2022
In the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts, it’s the life in your years…
Bradley James Richaud of Castor, Alta. passed away suddenly on April 10, 2022, at the age of 55 years.
Bradley, youngest son of Louis and Eleanor Richaud, was born on Nov. 30, 1966 at Galahad, Alta.
Brad grew up on the family farm near Forestburg, Alta. where he helped with the race horses and farm operations.
He attended Forestburg School for Grades 1-12.
Growing up, summers were often spent at the race tracks with his family and the horses.
From a young age, Brad loved to drive and given the chance, he was often the first one to the steering wheel of any vehicle or piece of equipment.
In his younger years, he had a strong passion for motorcycles and preferred to spend most of his time on one wheel, rather than two.
As he grew older, his passion changed to trucks and he was only too happy to spin the wheels.
Upon graduating from Forestburg High School in 1986, Brad worked at various jobs.
In June of 1988, Brad began employment at the local Paintearth Mine, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator.
On Oct. 26, 1991 he married Corrine Blonski of Castor. Brad and Corrine have two children: Blaire, born September 1993 and Jayden, born June 1995.
Brad and Corrine resided in Forestburg until 1994 when they moved to Castor. Shortly thereafter, Brad’s employment transferred to the Sheerness Coal Mine near Hanna.
Mining was one of his passions and he was very proud of the fact that he operated the large dragline excavators.
Brad worked at Sheerness Mine/Westmoreland Coal/Prairie Mines & Royalty, right up until the time of his passing.
Brad enjoyed the outdoors and camping with family and friends. He loved Autumn, when he looked forward to spending time hunting, shooting and fishing. He enjoyed his work and fellow co-workers.
Brad was known by all for his warm personality, quick wit, sarcasm and sense of humour. He had an infectious laugh and incredibly kind heart. Brad will forever be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Brad was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Louis and Bertha Richaud, maternal grandparents Fred and Lydia Roth (Dietrich), and mother-in-law Verna Blonski.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Corrine; children Blaire (Jared) Dewald, Jayden Richaud (Logan Tisdel); parents Louis and Eleanor Richaud; brother Maurice (Sonja) Richaud and their children, Leah Richaud (and daughter Everleigh), Garrett Richaud; father-in-law John (Fran) Blonski; sister-in-law Debbie McCallum (Lewis Gamroth) and family, sister-in-law Peggy Bower (former husband Les) and family, as well as several great nieces and nephews; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and co-workers.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Brad’s memory may be made to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Alberta Diabetes Foundation.
