Oscar Joseph Serard

Oscar J. Serard passed away at Concord Hospital, under hospice care, on October 24, 2024. He was born in Belmont, NH on September 9, 1931, the son of the late Lillian (Parent) North and was raised by his deceased grandparents.

Married on September 5, 1953, Oscar is survived by his beloved wife Anita (O’Keefe) to whom he was blessed with 71 years of marriage. With Anita’s outstanding care and devotion, he was able to remain at home until the final weeks of his life. Oscar is also survived by four children - Cheryl Herrington, Michael (Lisa) Serard, Peter (Diane) Serard, and Deborah (William) Lawson; eight grandchildren - Walter Granger, Alicia LaPlante, Benjamin Serard, Joshua Serard, Laura Poitras, Daniel Serard, William Lawson, and Dr. Katherine Lawson; six great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. They were all the love of his life. He also leaves behind his brother Charles North and many nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Oscar was a graduate of Belmont High School Class of 1949 where he excelled in many sports and was later inducted into the Belmont High School Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball.

He was an Army veteran who served his country in the Korean War and then continued with 30 more years of service in the U.S. Army Reserves.

In 1958 Oscar graduated from Plymouth Teacher’s College with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. He enjoyed teaching mathematics for two years at the Belmont Gale School and 30 years at Concord High School. He was a member of the Concord Education Association, Merrimack Valley Teachers Association, a lifetime member of NEA-NH and served as a long-time Treasurer of the NH Retired Educators Association.

Oscar was very active in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church where he was a Christian Servant, mass greeter, worked at the food pantry, worked on the construction of the adoration chapel and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Affectionately called the “Big O,” he had the biggest of hearts and would do anything for family and friends. He loved camping, traveling, sports, gardening, and playing cards with his dear friends. He was an avid Boston Celtics fan. He and Anita loved all types of dancing and were members of the Concord Coach Square Dancing Club. Upon retirement, they traveled to all fifty states, numerous provinces in Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, and Jerusalem. Big O touched many lives but, above all else, he loved his family.

Calling hours will be held on November 7, 2024 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main Street in Concord with a Catholic mass held on November 8, 2024 at 10:30 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Road in Concord.

A gravesite burial will be held on November 13, 2024 at 11 am at the NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. In lieu of flowers, donations in Oscar's memory may be made to the NH Retired Educators Association (NHREA), c/o Norma Gray, 19 Adams Drive, Kittery ME 03904.