Richard LeGrand, 74, of the 500 block of Rockbridge Road, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 2:13 pm. His journey of life began in Mt. Gilead, NC on March 25 1947, and he was raised in Stamford, CT. Richard attended Stamford Public Schools and graduated from Stamford High School in 1965. He attended community college in CT for two years. He served in the US Army from 1966-1968 with an Honorable Discharge. He worked for Crawford & Russell in Stamford CT in the Electrical Design Dept., and then for Air Correction in Norwalk CT in the Process Flow Diagram Dept. where he was a group leader. In the 1980’s, Richard started his own successful design company, TREK Design. He embraced a second career as an Instructional Asst. where he worked for 12 years teaching elementary and middle school students. Richard was honored as “Staff Person of the Year” at Churchland Middle School in 2013.
On a personal note Richard was known as “Mr. Cool,” and he had a style all his own. He was extremely witty, humorous and the ultimate storyteller. Richard was a very interesting person with opinions on many different subjects. He met everyone with a smile and a conversation. Richard was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever and wherever it was needed. He was a movie buff and some favorites were “The Godfather” trilogy and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Richard admired Muhammad Ali, and loved sports, music, pasta and watching his fig tree grow in the backyard.
Richard was preceded in death by his beloved sons Richard “Che” LeGrand, II and Derek “Dee” LeGrand, his parents Rose and Albert Kirby, Sr., his brother Albert “A.J.” Kirby, Jr., and his loving aunts and uncles. He is survived by his significant other Sylvia Dean, grandson Kane LeGrand, the mother of his children Cheryl LeGrand, four great grandchildren, his sister Shirley Ruffin (Nathaniel), daughter-in-law Doreen LeGrand, decades’-long friends and buddies, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members, friends and colleagues.
Memorial Service will be open to family and friends at Metropolitan Funeral Service, Portsmouth, Va on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Memorial Service will be live-streamed at www.
Masks are required.
Condolences(18)-
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L. Grant says
July 12, 2021 at 8:23 amMr. LeGrand was great guy and wonderful coworker. A man of many talents. Piano and architecture were are favorite topics to talk about. He will be truly missed.
Jeffrey Mclain says
July 14, 2021 at 8:35 amYou will certainly be missed you were like a father figure a mentor to me thank you so much rest in peace
Moriah Wrenn-Sandkulla says
July 12, 2021 at 9:18 amMr. LeGrand was one of my favorite coworkers at Churchland Middle School. It was such a joy to speak with him about my travels and he always had a smile on his face. Whenever I plan trips, I always think of my conversations with him and his readiness to always listen about my plans and adventures. He will be greatly missed and I pray for calm over his family and loved ones.
Nicole Coyer says
July 12, 2021 at 12:23 pmMr. LeGrand was always interested in where I was taking my kids on vacations over the summer. He especially loved to talk to them about their travels and always followed it up with a message to listen to mom and dad. He was always smiling and friendly to everyone. I have missed seeing him every morning when I come into the CHMS building. I pray his family finds peace and I know I am forever grateful to have known him.
Heidi says
July 12, 2021 at 4:39 pmMs. Dean,
I am praying for you to receive comfort during this difficult time. As you know, I truly loved Mr. LeGrand like family. He was always caring, kind and just a great person. I will miss him and our talks and laughs in the hallways at Churchland and John Tyler.
Know you are loved!
Anissa Maples says
July 12, 2021 at 8:42 pmUncle Richard
It’s your Dip I’m going miss you so much see you on the other side uncle. So we can 2 step😘
My deepest condolences to the family.
Nancy Irick Hurdle says
July 12, 2021 at 10:22 pmRich and I were friends for many years and I enjoyed his friendship. I was saddened to hear of his passing. Please know that I am praying for your family and friends during this difficult time.
Jeffrey Mclain says
July 14, 2021 at 8:36 amYou will certainly be missed you were like a father figure a mentor to me thank you so much rest in peace
Heather Neal says
July 13, 2021 at 7:32 amMs. Dean and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. LeGrand was truly special. He spoke to everyone and always had a smile on his face. He will be missed. Peace be with you all.
Patti Allen says
July 13, 2021 at 9:17 amMr. LeGrand was one of the kindest and sweetest men ever. He always had a smile, a laugh, and a twinkle in his eye. He most certainly was smooth! I missed him horribly when he left Churchland Middle school. I can’t imagine how his familly feels. I hope God blesses you and guides you through this time. I am sure his sons welcomed him with open arms.
Patti Allen
Ida Mae Legrande & family (of deceased uncle, Wyatte “Jake” Legrande) says
July 13, 2021 at 9:50 amWe are heart broken to learn of Richard’s passing. He was a cherished nephew/cousin and we share in the grief of all who loved and knew him. We send our love, and pray for the strength of all his family and loved ones to endure this loss. Rest In Peace, “Punkin”
Devese Peace-Branch says
July 13, 2021 at 1:29 pmMr. LeGrand was such a kind person. He would always offer to help me get through the front door in the morning when my hands were full. And…even when they weren’t, he was still so polite to open the door for me :) He carried a genuine “caring” spirit. When he asked “how are you doing today?”, you could tell he really wanted to know. Thank you for the life you lived at CHMS…you certainly won’t be forgotten. Rest On Mr. LeGrand!!!
Blessings, Peace and Comfort to family and loved ones.
James "Mack" Meadows says
July 13, 2021 at 1:39 pmMy condolences to Sylvia and the LeGrand Family. My prayers are with you.
Richard was my best friend. He was like a brother to me. If you saw one, the other one was not far behind. We worked together, played sports together and hung out together. I will miss our brotherly talks we had. I will truly miss you. Rest in peace. I love you brother.
Tiffany Myers says
July 13, 2021 at 2:00 pmIt was my pleasure and honor to work with Mr. LeGrand at Churchland Middle School. He was a true gentleman who cared deeply about his students and co-workers. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help others. My condolences go out to his family and all those who loved him. May he rest in peace and continue to watch over all of you.
N. Leigh says
July 15, 2021 at 2:30 pmLife Is But a Stopping Place
(Words of sentiment, love and remembrance from co-worker, and friend Norma Leigh)
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
To sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys.
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
But never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey is quicker,
For some the journey is slow,
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward.
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord.
Grover Watts says
July 15, 2021 at 7:46 pmAs a former teacher at Churchland Middle School, Mr. Le Grand was one of the first people that I met. He was genuinely a great person and he definitely had your back. He was a very loyal employee and one that you could always count on. With us being vets, we always had something to talk about. A wonderful human being.
Dawn Solomon says
July 16, 2021 at 11:12 amI was saddened to hear of the passing of Richard. Please accept my condolences. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Mrs. Lattimore says
July 16, 2021 at 11:47 amI am so sorry to hear of such a nice gentles passing. I remember meeting him during summer school and his blind student learning who I was so quickly. Every morning Le Grand would walk by and say good morning Mrs. Lattimore. One morning his student said it before Mr. Legrand did. Always kind and helpful.
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