Nelson A. Girard

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Valmore and Anna (Rousselle) Girard, he was a lifelong resident of Acushnet. Nelson was a graduate of New Bedford High School and was a veteran of the US Navy – Seabee. He served his country admirably during WWII as a Coxswain. He was employed as a machinist at Brodeur Machine Shop for 53 years prior to his retirement.

Nelson loved his family dearly; he enjoyed teaching his three children how to enjoy ice-skating, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and bowling. He was a member of the VFW, a Boy Scout Leader and an Acushnet Volunteer Firefighter. In later years his passion turned to ballroom dancing with his wife Mildred, and traveling, including many cruises, he enjoyed Florida and becoming snowbirds, with Milly, before she passed. He truly enjoyed being self-sufficient with his farming lifestyle, tending the garden and many livestock. He was a well-known featherweight boxer in the WWII US Navy, Pacific Seabees, being flown to all the Pacific Islands to entertain the Navy & Marine military troops, with boxing bouts with other military soldiers and civilian island boxers. When he returned from his duty, he was one of the pioneers of boxing in the New Bedford area, which he was involved in making the city of New Bedford a prime site for boxing.

Nelson is survived by his daughters, Janice Ouimet and her husband Dr. Charles of FL, and Julie Marchetti and her husband Michael of Acushnet and; a daughter in-law, Stephanie Girard of Fairhaven; six grandchildren, Lisa, Alesha, Adam, Matthew, Sally, and Nicole; many great, great-grandchildren. He was the father of the late Gerald Girard and grandfather of Gregory Girard, and all his siblings, brothers the late Armand, Roland, Teddy, Norbert, Pete and Larry Girard and sisters Irene Girard, Ida Whittaker, Jeannette LaPrade and Doris Thomas.

Mr. Girard’s family would like to express their appreciation to his VA nurses and doctors, his Community Nurses, Coastline Elderly for their excellent care and to his last day, the Southcoast Hospital staff for their compassionate concern.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 23, 2023, from 8:00 to 9:00AM in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis Xavier Parish, 125 Main Street, Acushnet, MA 02743. Burial with Military Honors at Sacred Heart Cemetery. To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com