Obituary for Bernard Girard
We will remember Veronica and Bernard Girard in a funeral service on May 6th, 2023 at 11:00am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Shrine, Merlin, Ontario with interment of their ashes following the mass.
Bernard Girard passed away at Copper Terrace Long Term Care Home on November 9, 2022. He was born on the family farm in Tilbury East Township on May 20, 1933. His father George and mother Marie-Anne Lalonde had settled there in 1921 with George's brother Midas and his wife Louise. The two couples farmed together and shared the big farmhouse which was set up for 2 families. Bernard was the youngest of the 13 children born to the two couples and was the last survivor. He is predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Hildegarde (Gordon Newham), Alvina (Clifford Rivard), Jeannette (Merle Gervais), Alphonse (Kate Reaume), Theresa (John Lowrie), and Richard whose wife Jean (Dennison) survives.
Bernard is survived by his beloved wife Veronica Faubert to whom he was married for 68 years, children Philip (Sheila Zurbrigg) (Toronto), Angela (Randy French) (Chatham), and Jacqueline (Randy O'Mara) (RR7 Dresden), grandsons Daniel (Sascha) (Brooklyn, New York), Gabriel (Toronto), and Sam (Nick) (Surrey, BC). step-grandson Jason (Kyunghee) (Singapore), and great grandson Skye (Brooklyn, New York).
Farming was Bernard's life; he ran the family farm from age sixteen until retiring in his early sixties and lived there until he and Veronica moved to Copper Terrace in 2021. He was active in many farm organizations, such as former Ontario Soybean Growers Marketing Board, in community organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, and in his church, St. Patrick's Parish, Merlin. Bernard was also an entrepreneur, starting the Ontario Roasted Soynut Company and investing in real estate. He and Veronica had a wide circle of friends, travelled extensively, and enjoyed many winters in Florida.
Due to public health concerns the funeral service will take place in the spring. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the charity of your choice.
Bernard Girard passed away at Copper Terrace Long Term Care Home on November 9, 2022. He was born on the family farm in Tilbury East Township on May 20, 1933. His father George and mother Marie-Anne Lalonde had settled there in 1921 with George's brother Midas and his wife Louise. The two couples farmed together and shared the big farmhouse which was set up for 2 families. Bernard was the youngest of the 13 children born to the two couples and was the last survivor. He is predeceased by his siblings and their spouses, Hildegarde (Gordon Newham), Alvina (Clifford Rivard), Jeannette (Merle Gervais), Alphonse (Kate Reaume), Theresa (John Lowrie), and Richard whose wife Jean (Dennison) survives.
Bernard is survived by his beloved wife Veronica Faubert to whom he was married for 68 years, children Philip (Sheila Zurbrigg) (Toronto), Angela (Randy French) (Chatham), and Jacqueline (Randy O'Mara) (RR7 Dresden), grandsons Daniel (Sascha) (Brooklyn, New York), Gabriel (Toronto), and Sam (Nick) (Surrey, BC). step-grandson Jason (Kyunghee) (Singapore), and great grandson Skye (Brooklyn, New York).
Farming was Bernard's life; he ran the family farm from age sixteen until retiring in his early sixties and lived there until he and Veronica moved to Copper Terrace in 2021. He was active in many farm organizations, such as former Ontario Soybean Growers Marketing Board, in community organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, and in his church, St. Patrick's Parish, Merlin. Bernard was also an entrepreneur, starting the Ontario Roasted Soynut Company and investing in real estate. He and Veronica had a wide circle of friends, travelled extensively, and enjoyed many winters in Florida.
Due to public health concerns the funeral service will take place in the spring. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the charity of your choice.