Richard Joseph Harnois, age 72, of Brooklyn Park, MN, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2024. He was born March 28, 1951, in Washburn, the son of Arthur and Ruth (Chambers) Harnois.

In 1969, he graduated from Washburn High School. On December 8, 1973, he married Janette Hammond, in St. Louis Park, MN. Richard started his employment working in the computer department, at Prudential, in Minneapolis, MN. He was there for many years, prior to transferring and completing his career in computers, with IBM. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He loved street car racing, taking his car to Brown Stone Days, in Washburn, and working on his antique cars, including his 1970 Torino and his 1941 dodge.  

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Janette; three children, Thaddeaus (Stacey) Harnois, Russell (Katia) Harnois, and Marlene (Jeff) Basinski; 11 grandchildren; and three brothers, Cliff Harnois, Grant (Barbara) Harnois, and Mark (Martha) Harnois; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Lou Bade; and a son, Jeremy Harnois.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:30 PM on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the Bratley Funeral Home, in Washburn. Interment will take place in the Calvary Cemetery, in Washburn.

There will be a celebration of his life on Sunday, March 3, at Country Inn & Suites By Radisson, 155 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids, MN, 55433. A time for these services will be updated here, as soon as it becomes available.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Museum that Richard supported:

Washburn Area Historical Society
PO Box 272
Washburn, WI 54891

Please make note that the donation is in memory of Richard J. Harnois.

The family also invites those who knew Richard to write a short memory of him to bring with them to the gathering they plan to attend. For those unable to attend, remembrances may be emailed to Janette Harnois, so that they may be displayed and read at the gatherings and, eventually, bound into a memory book. Please email the WHS Historical Museum directly at WashburnMuseum@gmail.com for inquiries about sending your memories to Janette Harnois.