George A. Rivard Sr., 80, of Bristol, died Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, at Bristol Hospital. George was a son of the late Albani and Yvonne (Dumaine) Rivard. He was born in Biddeford, Maine, Feb. 16, 1927, and was educated at St. Joseph's School, Berthierville, Province of Quebec, Canada. Upon graduating in 1945, he immediately entered the armed forces of the United States, serving in World War II and the Korean War. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1952. George was stationed for some time at Haneda Air Base, Tokyo, and was assigned to air evacuation duty. His service included instructing airmen in the use of respirators and iron lung machines. He served with the medical department, attached to the Air Force 1453rd Medical Air Evacuation Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii. Most of his service was in the Pacific Theater. His civilian employment included Southington branch manager for The Hartford Courant and he was a business owner and real estate agent. He was a member of St. Ann Church, Bristol, and a life member of Palos Council No. 35, Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed stamp and coin collecting and a good game of cribbage. George is survived by his former wife, Madeleine Rivard of Bristol; a son and daughter-in-law, George A. Jr. and Janice Rivard of Bristol; two daughters and a son-in-law, Patricia Rivard of Bristol and Victoria and Bruce Scott of Plainville; four brothers, Fernand "Raymond" Rivard of Barre, Vt., Norman Rivard of Westerly, R.I, the Rev. Robert Rivard of Framingham, Mass. and Charles Rivard of Bristol; a sister, Dolores Charpentier of Bristol; three grandsons, Bryan, Kevin and Stephen Rivard; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Ingraham Manor and doctors and staff at Bristol Hospital for their care and compassion. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, at 10 a.m. at St. Ann Church, Bristol. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Ann Church Memorial Fund, 180 Laurel St., Bristol, CT 06010 or to the American Diabetes Association, 306 Industrial Park Road, Suite 105, Middletown, CT 06457. Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, is in charge of arrangements. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit:
www.funkfuneralhome.com

©The Bristol Press 2007