Patrick Robert Picard

Patrick R. Picard, 83, of Columbia, CT passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on June 14, 2017. Born in Madawaska Maine on Christmas Day, 1933, to the late Abel and Regina (Fournier) Picard. Pat served in the U.S. Army with the Army Corps of Engineers in Kansas and Berlin Germany and was honorably discharged receiving a Good Conduct Medal in 1955. After leaving the Army, he made his way to Connecticut and Pratt and Whitney Aircraft where he was employed as a Tool and Die maker for over 38 years. He was a parishioner of St. Columba’s Church where he served as lector and eucharistic minister for 25 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 9653. Pat received his 10-gallon pin from the American Red Cross for having donated blood. Pat met his future bride Dorothy Brooks in 1959 and they were married in 1960. They enjoyed 50 years together before her passing in 2011.  Pat and Dorothy raised their six children in Columbia who he leaves to mourn his passing: Regina Picard and her husband David Carl; Ann Mansfeld and her husband Paul, Theodore, Judith Picard, Andrew and his fiancée Renee Renberg, and Daniel and his fiancé Renee Dupis-McPherson. Dad, Pop, Pep, Pepper, as he was known by his grandchildren who he adored, brought such joy and love to his life: Richard Case, Samantha Casey-Vallera (Chris), Alexander and Kaydi Picard, Yvonne Picard, Caroline and Christine Mansfeld; and his four precious great-grandchildren Abigail and Elizabeth Case, and Liam and Abigail Vallera.  Oncle Pat also leaves his nieces Nancy Harvey, Patricia Filmore (Millard), Lynn Petcher, Denise Picard, Louisa Picard, and Sylvie Guerette (Kevin) all of Maine. Pat also leaves his special friend Joan (Joanne) Marquis. Pat was predeceased by his sister Alfreda Picard, Normand “Joe” Picard and Joe’s wife Monique of Madawaska Maine. Pop loved a good meal, a good cigar, his jazz music, riding his ATV, and tinkering. But most of all he loved being with his family, his face would just light up and beam when we had our family get togethers and those blue eyes would twinkle so proud, so happy, so content. Samantha put it perfectly…”he’s always smiling”

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, In Memory of Patrick R. Picard, to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 26, Columbia, CT 06237 or a charity of the donor’s choice. The family will receive friends and family on Monday, June 19, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Columba’s Church, 328 Rte. 66, Columbia, CT 06237 on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. For online condolences, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com

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