Donald David Girard

Donald Girard of Harvard, MA died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, January 18, 2025, just shy of his 90th birthday. The cause of death was complications from covid pneumonia.

Donald grew up in New Bedford, MA, along with his five siblings. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1957 and worked as an electrical engineer at Raytheon Company in the missile guidance division for 32 years before retiring and continuing to work as a consultant.

Married to Michèle Girard in 1985, Don and Michèle moved to Harvard, MA in 1987 where they raised their children, Aimée and Michael, who attended HES and Bromfield School from K-12. Don and Michèle lived together in the same home on Pinnacle Road since moving to Harvard.

Don lived an active life: he loved skiing, cycling, kayaking, and hiking. He played golf, tennis and billiards too. Don introduced his children to many of these sports and enjoyed being outside in nature with his family. Vacations typically revolved around New Hampshire’s White Mountains, where Don spent decades chasing powder, whitewater, mountain vistas and trails. In his golden years, Don found just as much joy sitting on the porch, reading the paper and making a good fire. He appreciated his surroundings deeply and welcomed his friends and family warmly. He didn’t bat an eye at hosting and feeding dozens of event staff volunteers at each of the 10 annual Central Mass Skate Festivals, most sleeping in tents in the yard. Don was known for his intelligence, curiosity, self-confidence, love of science, and his can-do spirit. His beloved John Deere tractor was a solution in search of problems; with it, Don dug trenches, plowed snow, moved firewood and did his best to avoid trampling Michèle’s gardens. His engineering background, thriftiness and ingenuity drove him to DIY every project from plumbing to bathroom renovations, coffee roasting to carpentry, and building several skateboard ramps. Each project was ripe for invention and prone to slow timetables.

Don is survived by his wife, Michèle and his children and their spouses: Aimée and Vivek Verma of Brooklyn, NY; Michael Girard and Kyle Bonus of Portland, ME; four siblings; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Raymond.

Visiting hours will be held at the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton, MA from 3:00 – 6:00 pm on Friday, January 24, 2025. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, 9 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 25, 2025, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harvard Conservation Trust, PO Box 31, Harvard, MA 01451; Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, 234 Barnum Rd., Devens, MA 01434; or Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-massachusetts/contact-us.

Arrangements are under the care of Badger Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, 347 King St. Littleton, MA 01460.