Hector H. "Jerry" Girard, Jr., 84, a long-time resident of Keene, NH, passed away peacefully at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA on Thursday, March 18, 2021, with his loving family by his side.
He was born in Nashua, NH on July 4, 1936 the son of Hector H. and Lillian (Lévesque) Girard, Sr. He grew up and attended schools in Nashua and graduated from Nashua High School in 1955.
Jerry served in the United States Air Force from 1955-1958.
He started working with his father in his dental laboratory when he was fourteen years old. After moving to Keene in 1959, Jerry opened and operated the Keene Dental Lab, which served dentists in the communities of Keene and Marlborough NH and Brattleboro and Bellows Falls VT until his retirement in 2019.
He was a member of the Parish of the Holy Spirit and attended St. Bernard’s Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.
Jerry was known for his sense of humor, warm personality and ability to put people at ease. He enjoyed exploring nature with his family and summer vacations at Wells Beach, ME. His favorite outdoor activities were swimming, tennis, hiking, and biking. He loved large family gatherings and had an extensive network of friends who would join for weekend cookouts. He enjoyed poker, which he played with his sons and monthly with a group of friends for decades. Jerry was an avid reader and enjoyed working on crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. Most of all he loved sharing his wisdom in conversation with others and spending time with his wife Jeanne.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Jeanne (Brodeur) Girard; five children; Peter H. Girard and his wife Pak Yen Lim of Cambridge, MA, Michael A. Girard and his wife Joetta of Stratham, NH, Vivian L. Williams and her husband Anthony of Hampton, VA, Philip D. Girard and his wife Sheri of Deerfield, NH and Andrew J. Girard and his wife Meghan of Bridgewater, MA.
Nine grandchildren; Keith Girard, Marie Hall, Jacob Williams, Joshua Williams, Jessica Girard, Arthur Girard, William Girard, Summer Girard, and Nolan Girard; three great-grandchildren, James Williams, Noah Williams, and Ayla Girard and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Paul Girard in 1999, and two sisters, Madeline Meattey and Vivian Desjardins.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Bernard’s Church, 185 Main Street, Keene, NH on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene. There are no public visiting hours. All those in attendance at the funeral mass and committal services are required to wear facemasks and to maintain the physical distancing requirements. Thank you and be safe!
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s name to the Sisters of Holy Cross, Development Office, 365 Island Pond Road, Manchester, NH 03109-4811; or to St. Vincent de Paul, c/o Parish of the Holy Spirit, 161 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431.
