On Wednesday, January 2, George William Berard, Jr., of Beltsville, MD, died from natural causes at the age of 89. George was born on March 26, 1929, in Manchester, NH, the son of George and Ethel Berard. He was a veteran of the US Navy, then worked in the printing trade, ending as a financial entitlements officer with the Government Printing Office retiring in 1993. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marie Pettinato Berard; children Dr. Michael J. Berard (Pat), James William Berard, Esq. (Janet), Robert Paul Berard (Patty), and Jean Marie Berard; as well as 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
George was a great family man: his life was devoted to God, family, and friends and never to his own personal needs. He was skilled at many things including repairing cars for the entire family, teaching kids how to hit a baseball, building additions to the house, and doing tons more. He loved a good book, was skilled at telling good jokes, and had a very quick wit. His passion late in life was to get together with his crew of Carl, Tom, Joe, and others to play golf or go out to eat.
The wake and funeral were held on January 16 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beltsville, MD, followed by his burial at Fort Lincoln Cemetery and a reception at the Knights of Columbus Council 2809 in College Park, MD.