Claude L. Bechard

Claude L. Bechard passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. He is survived by his wife Rosemary, who he adored and was married to for 70 years, his 4 children Richard Bechard, Claudia Sharkey, Robert Bechard and Carol Doot as well as Richard's wife, Harriet, his son Nathaniel, and Carol's husband Dan and their 3 sons, Jeffrey, Christopher and Daniel. He is also survived by the brother he treasured and always enjoyed spending time with, Raymond Bechard. His sisters, Fern Richardson and Del McKone both pre-deceased him, as did his son-in-law, Jack Sharkey. Claude was born on November 2nd, 1921 in Fort Kent, Maine, to Laura and Alphonse Bechard, the 2nd of four children. The French speaking family eventually moved to Connecticut, where they all learned English and he would eventually grow into adulthood. He joined the army during WWII and met his future wife as the war came to a close.
After the war he went to work for Federal Mogul and they began raising their family - moving from Connecticut to Michigan to New Jersey along the way. He worked for them for over 40 years and retired while living in New Jersey.

He was never an idle man, but rather a man of many talents. In addition to his love of gardening; he painted; loved wood sculpturing, creating many lovely pieces over the years; made a couple of tables; upholstered antique furniture; even learned to cane. Retirement meant they could move to St. Simons Island, GA, where they spent 9 very happy years, playing even more bridge than they were ever able to squeeze in before, before moving to Greenville to live closer to children and grandchildren. There's probably never been a better husband, father or grandfather than Claude Bechard, or one who was more loved or will be more deeply missed.