Clement J. Breard Obituary (1923 - 2015)

Waterville Clement J. Breard, 91, was called to his heavenly reward on April 19, 2015. Dad was born Nov. 30, 1923 in Lewiston to Napoleon Breard and Marie Ann LaRochelle Breard. He attended public school in Lewiston. His family moved to Waterville where he finished his education, except for his Senior year of high school. He graduated from Fort Kent High School. He had three brothers, Francis, Leo and Richard. He married Bernice Bishop, our mother, June 9, 1945 in Old Town. They had 30 years together until her death in 1975. They raised four children together, Larry, Barbara, Raymond, and Paul. We did a lot together as a young family, going on picnics and to the beach with our grandparents, uncles and cousins. We always had enough for a baseball team. Our home was always the place for family gatherings. Our mother was such a great hostess and cook. He worked hard to support his family. He worked a variety of jobs, Hollingsworth & Whitney Company in Winslow as a paper tester; Veilleux's Meat Market; Furbush Chevrolet; and retiring as a janitor at Brookside School now George Mitchell School. After retiring he joined the crew at LaCroix's Garage to help out in their family business. There he worked with his daughter, Barbara, grandson, Troy and son-in-law, Lucien. It was such a pleasure to be with him on the days that he would come in to help out. He kept us smiling. He was a WW II veteran in the branch of the Navy. He was a Hospital Apprentice First Class. His family, faith and country meant so much to him. He marched in every parade in Waterville that he could. He was most proud when he was asked to be Parade Marshall in the Veteran's Day Parade in 2003. He took his job of Chaplain for the American Legion Post 5 seriously and respectfully. In our Dad's own words, "I was a communicant and active member of the Notre Dame Catholic Church from my early days as an altar boy to a choir member of Father Lepine, where I wore a purple beanie cap and purple cape. I was also an offering collector." Dad entered another chapter of his life when he married Jeannette Vigue on June 16, 1988. They traveled together in the U.S. , Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. Dad took dancing lessons so that he could take Jeannette out dancing. He enjoyed the dancing and the music with her and their friends very much. Dad was a faithful Red Sox fan. He played horseshoes, pool and cribbage with a determination to win each game. He loved singing, playing his harmonica and spoons. He was predeceased in death by his parents, our mother, Bernice, our brother, Larry and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, Jeannette; daughter, Barbara LaCroix and her husband Lucien; sons, Raymond Breard and his wife Brenda, Paul Breard and his wife Rhonda; brothers, Francis Breard and his companion Barbara Varney, and Leo Breard; grandchildren, Steve LaCroix and his wife Tammy, Troy LaCroix and his wife Angie, Jason Breard and Katie Scott, Jamie Bibeau and her husband Dan, and Kyle Breard; great-grandchildren, Sean LaCroix and Natalie Bibeau; step-son, Ron Vigue and his wife Diane; and by many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff in Moonlight Bay at Lakewood for the excellent care and friendship that they gave our Dad in his two and one-half years there. At Clement's request, there will be no visiting hours. We invite all relatives and friends to attend a Memorial Mass at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville at 9:00 A.M. Sat., May 16, 2015. Committal prayers and burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville. Arrangements are with Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.