Leon Otis Berard
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Leon Otis Berard passed away peacefully on March 13, 2022 at Advent Health in New Smyrna Beach, Florida surrounded by his loving family. Leon was born April 11, 1937 in Willimantic, Connecticut and was the son of the late Yvonne (Lussier) & Otis Berard.
He is predeceased by his brother Robert Berard, sister Loraine Berard Pepin and brother Norman Berard.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lillian Luthi Berard, his children John Berard and wife Laurie of Hampton, CT, Michael Berard and wife Brenda of Colchester, CT and Jackie Berard Moffitt and husband Milton of Scotland, CT. As well as eight grandchildren; Ashley Moffitt Chaudhry and her husband Al, Brittany Berard Gercken, Jake Berard, Kasey Moffitt, Stephanie Berard Carter and husband Sam,Jordan Moffitt and wife Vanessa, Zachary Berard and Olivia Berard. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Leon attended St. Mary's school in Willimantic, CT and graduated from Windham Regional Technical School Willimantic, CT in 1955. He served his country in the US Army from 1955-1962 and then went on to establish Berard Builders in Hampton, CT, a company he retired from in 1998. Leon married Lillian Luthi, of Coventry, CT, on November 21, 1959.
Leon was a life member of both the Hampton Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Hampton-Chaplin Ambulance Corp, and held many offices in each organization. For many years he attended and was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hampton, CT. He also served his community on the Hampton Zoning Board and Hampton Building Board of Appeals. As a volunteer, Leon worked with Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT and later, after retiring to Florida, with Port Orange Florida Family Days Community Trust. He was also active with his wife Lillian in volunteering with Children's Miracle Network, American Cancer Society and Wal-Mart Super Center #582 activities.
A celebration of Leon's life will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 1:00, at Baldwin Brothers New Smyrna Beach, 1 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 32169. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon.