The Valley Breeze

3/19/2010

Gerald N. Girard - North Smithfield

Gerald N. Girard, 69, of Woonsocket Hill Road died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, after a sudden illness at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

He was the husband of Irene E (Ringuette) Girard whom he married June 15, 1963. Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Valere and Beatrice (Menard) Girard. Mr. Girard was the pharmacy supervisor for more than 25 years at Zambarano Memorial Hospital in Burrillville, retiring in 2000. A Marine Corp veteran, a 1968 graduate of University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and a 1957 graduate of Woonsocket High School, he also was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church. He was a lifetime member, former trustee and present editor of the monthly news bulletin of the Woonsocket Elks Lodge 850. He also was active at the state level in the Elks scholarship program and also was a member of Cercle Laurier in Woonsocket and secretary of the local branch of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Association.

Gerry loved boating and fishing with friends and family, as well as world travel adventures. He was an avid Patriot and Red Sox fan and his clever, humorous wit, good heart and genuine friendship will be missed by all. Besides his wife he leaves a daughter, Lisa M. Sparks and her husband Thomas of Woonsocket, and three grandchildren, Anna Beth, Ryan and Elyse Sparks. He was the brother of the late Constance Fagan.

His funeral will be held Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at 9 a.m. from the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, Church Street, North Smithfield. Burial with military honors will follow in the parish cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gerald N. Girard Elks Scholarship Fund, c/o Woonsocket Elks, 380 Social St., Woonsocket, RI 02895.