Richard Francis Gadbois

Richard "Dickie" Gadbois, age 80 of Bruno and Isle, MN passed away on January 12th, 2024. He dedicated a large part of his life to taking people fishing. He died trying to keep those people safe on the lake, and... He was doing what he loved.

He was born May 25th, 1943 and was raised with his eight siblings in White Bear Lake, MN. He attended St. Mary's of the Lake Catholic School through 8th grade, and graduated from White Bear High School. Dickie married his high school sweetheart, Marge, September 1st, 1962 and they had two beautiful children, Dennis and Jannae.

What many don't know is that before Dickie became the lake legend he was, he had a multitude of other jobs and occupations. He was truly a jack of all trades and one of the hardest workers. Some of his previous occupations included: assistant grounds keeper at a golf course, owner of a sewer business, a union laborer, owner of a fencing company, a garbage truck driver, a dairy, beef, pig, rabbit, sheep, turkey, chicken, duck, geese, and vegetable farmer, a cook and bartender, and owner of multiple restaurants.

Most think of Dickie as having spent a lifetime on Mille Lacs and he did - He also lived another lifetime before that - Dickie "LIVED" more than most.

And then began his Mille Lacs Lake adventure.

Dickie is known to many as "The Legend of Mille Lacs Lake", "A Mille Lacs Treasure" "An Area Icon" and "The Hometown Hero". For over 40 years he either worked at or owned a resort on Mille Lacs. Through all the ups and downs he always figured out a way to get people out on the lake. Whether you were on a launch with Captain Dickie or on the ice through Dickie's on Mille Lacs, you weren't just a customer. . . you were a friend!

He left his mark on so many people by sharing his infectious joy of fishing. It didn't matter if it was your first time fishing or if you were a seasoned pro, he had knowledge to share and never hesitated to help you in any way he could.

If you had the opportunity to fish with him, he would not only get you on fish but would leave you with a smile on your face and memories to last a lifetime. He always made time to share some stories, crack some jokes and laugh that laugh that we will all miss so much.

Off the lake, he enjoyed all things outdoors. From sharing in the joy of all of his grandchildren's first deer (all taken on Grandpa's farm), to duck hunting trips at the North Dakota property, to tending to his amazing gardens that they harvested and sold at local Farmer's markets, he was always busy with something.

He will forever be remembered for his humor, his willingness to always lend a helping hand, and his love for the lake and its people.

Dickie was an AMAZING man and lived an AMAZING life!

Preceded in death by parents, Magdalena and Rene Gadbois; brothers, Rene Jr, Jerome, and Stanley Gadbois and his precious daughter Jannae Gadbois.

Survived and missed by the love of his life, Marge; son, Dennis (Michelle) Gadbois; grandchildren, Brittany (Zack) Johnson, Chase Gadbois, Allison Gadbois, and Drake (Maria) Gadbois; great grandchildren, Isaac Johnson and Russell Gadbois; siblings, Thomas (Lorraine) Gadbois, Therese (Barry) White, James Gadbois, Leo Gadbois, and Celine (Richard) Dempich, and so many other family members and friends that love him dearly.

We invite you to join our family as we remember and celebrate the life of Richard Gadbois on January 26th, 2024 anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 pm at the Hinckley Community Center, 102 Dunn Ave N, Hinckley, MN.