OBITUARIES

John (Jack) Andre Girard Jr., 74

03/25/2022

CHESHIRE, Mass. — John (Jack) Andre Girard Jr., 74 of Cheshire passed away on March 25 at his home with friends and family at his side.

Jack was born in Pittsfield on July 1, 1947, to the late John A. Girard Sr. and M. Carmen Laframboise Girard.

He leaves a brother Michael Girard of Windsor Locks, Conn. and many cousins in the U.S. and Canada. Jack was also survived by his housemate of 11 years, Michael Rivera who sadly, has since passed away on April 21, 2022.

Jack graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Pittsfield and from U Mass with a degree in Romance Languages. Following graduation, he taught French and Spanish at Hoosac School in Hoosick, NY for several years. The remainder of his professional life was spent sharing his amazing talent of beautifying so many homes and buildings with his paintbrushes and his eye for detail. He honed these skills at first with his dad and later working on his own throughout northern Berkshire and southern Vermont.

In his spare time Jack also served his community as a trustee of the Cheshire Library Association and as a long time member of the Cheshire Cemetery Commission.

An inurnment will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in the family lot at Cheshire Cemetery, Cheshire. A celebration of life will follow and all who knew Jack are welcome to join.

Many thanks to staff at Berkshire Hematology and Oncology as well as Hospice Care in the Berkshires for their kindness and care of Jack.

Donations may be made in Jack's memory to the Cheshire Library through Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.

Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
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I grew up with Jack and his family just 2 houses apart. We always had lots of fun together. I remember the first time we all rode a train. His mom, Mike, Jack, my mom, brothers Pete and Dan and I went from Pittsfield to the Bronx Zoo and had the best time ever. I moved to Connecticut, got married to Bob and we bought a house. We decided we needed to update our kitchen. The first person we thought of was Jack. He took the job and was here for several weeks getting it done. We were so pleased with the result. Whenever we were in Cheshire for a visit, we always tried to see Carmen and the boys. Sadly, we can no longer do that. Hope you are at peace now Jack with your Mom and Dad. Love you, Kathy & Bob, too
from: Kathy Bator Sumislaski	on: 06-12-2022

About 30 years ago, there was a bad fire at our mom’s house on Richmond Street. Jack spent that summer replacing the burned back porch and wall, and painting and wallpapering the entire interior, as Mom ‘supervised’ from the trailer in her yard. By fall she moved back into ‘the house Jack re-built,’ and he had become family. From then on our Christmases ‘at home’ in Cheshire included a visit to the home Jack shared with his mom – always beautifully decorated inside and out, some years with an arch of real fruit over the front door, and always a huge tree in the bay window. When our Christmases weren’t in Cheshire anymore, we enjoyed getting Jack’s news. We learned of the difficult years of devoted care for his mom, his happiness to share his home with a close friend, and his cancer diagnosis, shared with admirable positivity. This past Christmas he sent a picture of his beautiful ‘painted lady,’ partially re-painted, with note that the neighbors were impressed, and he hoped he’d live to finish it. We heard through the Cheshire grapevine that he didn’t. But we loved his hope, as we loved him. The Leonard sisters, Stephanie and Lois (Ann)
from: Stephanie F. Leonard	on: 05-29-2022

I first met Jack through his brother, Michael in 1970...we visited him at Hoosac School...our paths crossed again 20 years later when he finished building my house...and we became fast friends...he called me a week before he passed...to share some music...he loved the classics...I will miss him...his sense of humor will stay with me always..."it make sense but let's do it anyways" was a favorite saying...I find myself using it often...and remember.
from: Vera Socha	on: 05-20-2022

Jack and I got our Eagle Scout badges awarded when we were part of the Explorer Scouts in North Adams. Cheshire’s Troop 31 did not have enough Scouts our age to to support its own Explorer Post. Our parents were present and our mothers pinned on the new badges. If Jack’s family wants a copy of the photo, I can get one made. Dick
from: E. Richard Scholz	on: 05-19-2022

Jack was such an amazing man! He was an inspiration with his kind soul, his quirky humor, and his love of life He brought joy to all of the staff at the oncology center. He is missed everyday. RIP Jack, you fought a long and hard battle. Thanks for touching our hearts! 💔Tammy
from:	on: 05-19-2022

Mike and Ginger, So sorry for your loss of your brother and brother-in-law. May the memories you have of him get you through this sad time. Roy and MJ
from: Mary Jane O	on: 05-18-2022

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