Gerard R. Menard, 96 years old, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday December 29th. Gerry was born in Chicopee, MA to the late Valmore and Marguerite (Chevalier) Menard. He attended South Hadley schools and graduated from Holyoke Technical High School as a machinist. Gerry joined the Navy during WWII and was stationed at Mare Island in CA and as an MP had the duty of to guard the USS Indianapolis with "Little Fat Boy" nuclear bomb on board. After the war Gerry married the love of his life Barbara Ann Benoit of South Hadley and raised seven children. Gerry owned Pioneer Machine and Tool in Holyoke. He was known for his sense of adventure which he passed down to his children. Gerry loved the outdoors and could be found camping, fishing, hunting, hang gliding, snow mobiling, riding the rapids down the Hudson River or riding the mini bikes with his kids. He loved spending time at the Cape with family and friends. In his younger years you could find him flying his single engine airplane or driving his hydroplane. In his later years he loved sailing and ice boating. He and his brother Arthur, who was his best friend, could be found getting into all sorts of mischief together. They built ice boats and sailed with friends and family. They traveled from New England to Nova Scotia, both sailing into their 80's, making the local newspaper. Gerry is predeceased by his wife Barbara, his brother Arthur, sister Theresa, sons Gerard and David, granddaughter Emily and great grandson Corey. He will be sadly missed by his son Michael and his wife Gayle of FL, son Paul and his husband Bruce of SC, daughter Diane and her husband Kip of Hardwick, son Rick and his wife Joanne of NH, son Doug and his wife Brenda of Montgomery and son Kevin of AR. He leaves 16 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Gerry "Poppy" loved passing down his knowledge of fishing and machining to his granddaughters Chrissy, Jennifer and Joanne and his love of tinkering with old cars and hit or miss engines with his grandson Tyler. They will carry these special memories throughout their lives. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Baystate VNA and Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199.

Fisherman's Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the size of my catch, the courage not to lie about it, and the wisdom to know that none of my fishing buddies would believe me anyways.

Happy fishing. Your loving family.