Robert J. Girard Sr.

Robert J. Girard, Sr., 93, formerly of Park Street Turners Falls, passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 13, 2021 at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.

Born June 5, 1927 in Montague, MA, he was the son of Alexander N. Girard and Anna Koskuba. His sisters Mildred Girard, Marie Palmer and Lorraine DeBarge predceased him.

“Brud” lived in Turners Falls his entire life. He attended Montague Schools. He was a slugging outfielder on the TFHS Baseball team until he joined the US Naval Service, and proudly served his country during World War II. When he returned home, he finished high school, and graduated with the TFHS Class of 1947.

Robert was a laborer for Mass Highways (DOT) District 2, and was especially proud to talk about his snowplowing adventures on Route 2 and Route 63 for 33 winters.

He was a life-long communicant of St. Mary’s/Our Lady of Peace Church in Turners Falls.

He married Eleanor S. Smiley in 1960, and they enjoyed many happy years together before she passed away in 2003.

“Brud” enjoyed all sports, especially UMass Athletics. He and Ellie were football season ticket holders at McGuirk Stadium for 30+ years. He was also a fan of the TFHS Girls Softball team, and for many years enjoyed sitting with his old baseball teammates (and life-long friends) George and Red at home games. He enjoyed a life-time of bird and deer hunting, fly-tying, and trolling for trout from his boat on Lake Mattawa. He enjoyed backyard bird feeding, watching the ducks on Migratory Way and Barton Cove, and growing tomatoes in his garden. He was one of the oldest members of the Turners Falls Athletic Club, and the oldest living member of the Ten-Point Club in West Wardsboro, Vermont—his favorite place in the world.

Survivors include his daughter, Mary E., his son Robert J. Jr., his sister-in-law Ruth Ann Paden, a nephew, several nieces and cousins, and his many very special friends. He will be sorely missed, and never forgotten.

Services will be held on Tuesday (1-19-21) at 10am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls, with the Reverend Stanley Askamit, pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. The family would like to thank the Soldiers’ Home at Holyoke, especially the staff of 2 East and 3 West for their excellent care and compassion over the last five years. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Turners Falls Athletic Club, PO BOX---- Turners Falls, MA 01376, or the Soldiers’ Home Activity Program, 110 Cherry Street Holyoke, MA 01040.

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