Willard R. Bard, 79
ADAMS, Mass. - Willard Raymond "Beaver" Bard, 79, of 3 Myrtle St., Adams, died on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 at his home.
Mr. Bard devoted his life to the youth of Adams through sports. He was a coach for more than 55 years for the Adams Little League baseball, Adams Police Athletic League basketball and the Adams Church League basketball. The town of Adams recognized Mr. Bard's dedication to the town's youth in 1989 by dedicating the newly renovated Little League baseball field on Lincoln Street as the Willard Beaver Bard Little League Park.
In 2005, then Gov. Mitt Romney awarded him a Governor's Point of Light Award for his dedication to the youth of the town of Adams. The Maple Grove Civic Club honored him in 2011 for his many years of service.
Born in Adams on Feb. 17, 1934, son of Willard and Exilda Vanier Bard, he attended schools in Adams.
He served his country in the Army and the National Guard, and was honorably discharged from both.
Mr. Bard worked for the town of Adams for many years in the Parks Department until retiring as parks supervisor.
He also was a longtime member of the Adams Park Commission and a member of the Maple Grove Civic Club. He was a communicant of the Parish of Blessed John Paul, Adams.
His wife, the former Jacqueline Bostwick, died on Jan. 20, 2004.
He leaves his sister, Shirley Trudeau and her husband, Richard, of Adams; his niece, Jacqueline Pedercini of Adams; his nephews, Gary Trudeau and his wife, Elizabeth, of Cheshire and Charles Bombardier of Clarksburg; his grandnieces and -nephew, Jennifer Kuczynski, Sarah Pedercini, Michael Pedercini and Rachel Green.
He was predeceased by his sister, Helen Krok.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mr. Bard will be on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 from Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at noon at Blessed John Paul Church, celebrated by the Rev. John Gawienowski.
Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams.
Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 4, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Please help continue Mr. Bard's dream of helping the youth of Adams through sports by making memorial donations to the Adams/Cheshire Little League, PO Box 302, Adams MA 01220 or the Adams PAL, PO Box 241, Adams, MA 01220.