GREENVILLE – The 80-year-old state representative who served most of Piscataquis County died of cancer Wednesday.

Rep. Earl E. Richardson, R-Greenville, was serving his fourth term at the State House after working as town manager in Greenville.

A veteran of two wars, he served on the Legislature’s Natural Resources and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife committees. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2000.

“He was a valued friend to many in Piscataquis County, to those who look to state government for guidance on serious issues. His loss will be felt for a long time,” Sen. Douglas M. Smith, R-Dover-Foxcroft, said Thursday. Smith was elected last year to the Legislature.

In remembrance and in honor of Richardson, Gov. John E. Baldacci has directed that flags be flown at half-staff on Friday, the day of his funeral.

“Earl was a dedicated public servant,” Baldacci, a Democrat, said in a press release. “As a former town manager of Greenville and as a four-term state representative, Earl gave his all to enhance the health and welfare of the people of the state of Maine. Valiantly fighting cancer, Earl remained committed to representing his district this year. I join with his family, friends, colleagues and constituents in their great time of sadness.”

Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, called Richardson’s death a “very difficult loss for the Maine House of Representatives and for Maine people” in a press release issued Thursday.

“On a personal level,” Cummings said, “Earl extended a great deal of kindness to me when I faced a difficult loss in my own family this session, and it is my hope that we may offer his family the same support and compassion in this difficult time.”

Smith called Richardson “a man of tremendous integrity. He’s the type of leader we need more of.”

Richardson is survived by his wife, Avis, and four children.

He represented District 27, which includes the municipalities of Abbot, Beaver Cove, Bowerbank, Brownville, Cambridge, Greenville, Guilford, Monson, Parkman, Sebec, Shirley, Willimantic and Plantation of Kingsbury, plus the unorganized territories of Blanchard Township, Northeast Piscataquis (including Barnard and Elliottsville Townships) and Northwest Piscataquis.