Frederick J. Chard, Jr., 95 of Burlington left this world on Aug. 31, surrounded by his family. Fred was born on April 23, 1928, to parents Frederick J. Chard, Sr., and Mary (Droney) Chard.
Fred attended grade school in the little school house in Whigville where he fondly remembered having to start the wood stove every morning during his tenure. He went on to attend Bristol High school graduating as president of the class of 1947.
Shortly thereafter he married the love of his life and wife of 72 years Beryl (Dube) Chard. Fred and Beryl were founding members of St. Gregory the Great Church in Bristol and raised their family around faith.
Fred served his country in the Army National Guard and eventually went into business with his father to form F. J. Chard & Son, Inc. His business and the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning trade was his passion.
Over his 65-year career he mentored many people and made many friends along the way. He volunteered in his spare time serving on the Burlington Board of Finance for 46 years. His only other passion was skiing which he discovered at age 50 and continued until age 80.
We will miss our Patriarch, our rock. We will miss the guy who skied way too fast for his age and renewed his driver’s license for eight years at age 95. We will miss the guy who expected a lot from us but gave so much more in return. We will cherish all the memories but especially “Friday nights” with all the conversation and laughter.
Fred is predeceased by his wife Beryl Chard, son Frederick J. Chard, Ill, and sister Kathleen Cayer. He leaves his daughters Donna Gaski and husband Peter of Burlington, Mary Ellen Paul and husband Ronald of Burlington and his son James Chard and wife Cheryl of Burlington. He will be missed by his seven grandchildren (Jennifer Luoni, Robert Paul, Stephanie Gaski, Adam Gaski, Ashley Dinella, Derek Chard and Frederick J. Chard, IV), six great grandchildren (Sophia Luoni, Samantha Luoni, Carson Gaski, Caleb Gaski, Frederick J. Chard, V, Luca Dinella and Luna Gaski Hernandez, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7, at 9 a.m. from Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, to St. Gregory the Great Church, 235 Maltby St., Bristol for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol.
Family and friends are invited to call at Funk Funeral Home on Wednesday between 5 and 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. (www.stjude.org).
To visit Fred’s memorial website please visit www.FunkFuneralHome.com.
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