Raymond G. Girard

Mr. Girard was born in New Bedford, the son of the late George T. and Henriette (Pepin) Girard, where he was a graduate of St. Anthony’s High School class of 1950. A lifelong resident of New Bedford, Mr. Girard was a United States Air Force Veteran, serving during the Korean War in Texas, Arizona, Florida and the Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Raymond worked in the family business. The Geo T. Girard Furniture Co., for 20 years as an Assistant Manager. Along with his wife, Mr. Girard owned and operated a retail/wholesale tropical fish shop, “House of Bettas” supplying stock to tropical fish pet shops in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. During this time, he designed and developed new products for the pet fish industry and was granted US Patents under the company name “Aqua-Lux”.

Raymond was also a gifted and prolific artist with a special love of all things “marine” such as seascapes and ships of all types. A prized family heirloom is a totally hand crafted, museum quality scale model of a clipper ship “Sovereign of the Seas” made when he was only 15 years old and a member of the “Sea Scouts”.

In 1973, Mr. Girard along with his wife Pauline became a part of the Mullen Hill Baptist Church in Lakeville, MA. He served there in volunteer capacities and as a Deacon. He also served in two other evangelical groups, the Gideons in New Bedford and Fall River and the Stonecroft Ministries as a leader/teacher of home bible studies. In 1986, Mr. Girard was called by his beloved church family to serve as a Visitation Pastor under the leadership of Rev. Kenneth Nanfelt of Lakeville. He served in this capacity for 12 years until his retirement in 1995.

During life and retirement, he loved and enjoyed his God, wife, family, friends, traveling, painting, photography and publishing a book of his accumulated bits of wit and wisdom.

In addition to his wife of 63 years, he is survived by his four sons: David Girard of New Jersey, Daniel Girard and his wife Kathy of E. Bridgewater, Dennis Girard and his wife Michele of Fairhaven, and Darryl Girard of New Bedford; five brothers and sisters Donald Girard and his wife Michele of Harvard, MA, Jeanne Orphan and her husband Victor of Encinitas, CA, Robert Girard and his wife Anne of Ontario, Canada, Henry Girard of Rhode Island and Therese Goodchild and her husband John of Sandwich, MA; thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of His Life will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 10AM in the Cornerstone Community Church, 111 Highland Rd., Lakeville, MA. Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 8PM in the ROCK FUNERAL HOME 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Cornerstone Community Church, 111 Highland Rd., Lakeville, MA 02347, note: In memory of Pastor Ray or Our Daily Bread Ministries, PO Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI 49501 or at www.odb.org . Burial will be in Cedar Knoll Cemetery in Taunton. To send a tribute or for directions please visit: www.rock-funeralhome.com