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MENARD, JOHN PAUL, 67
MENARD, JOHN PAUL, 67, of Williamstown, passed away November 4 at Fletcher Allen Health Care. His family was at his bedside. Born on June 20, 1945, in Barre, he was the son of Paul A. "Benny" and Agnes M. (Pirie) Menard. He attended local schools and graduated from Williamstown High School in 1964. Later, he served in the Vermont Army National Guard. John earned an associate degree from Community College of Vermont in 1991. He went on to obtain a BS degree in accounting and mathematics in 1996 and later an AS degree in computer programming/business from Trinity College in Burlington. On Sept. 3, 1966, John married Sheila Kelton in Randolph. They made their home in Williamstown. John and Sheila purchased the family farm in 1966. They sold the dairy herd in 1980, and he started logging while he was farming and continued until 1997. For several years, he was also a part-time school bus driver for RSD Transportation. In 1997, John began working for the Vermont Tax Department in the corporate tax unit where he was employed until his death. An active member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Williamstown, he served on the Parish Council and Parish Finance Committee. He was also a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus Assembly 1151. John loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed working on his land and in his woods and tending his gardens. He was active in Williamstown sports. For two years, he was head coach of the seventh- and eighth-grade boys basketball team, was head coach of the JV girls basketball team for a year, and assistant coach for the fourth- and fifth-grade girls basketball team for a year. Even after his children were grown, he enjoyed attending Williamstown basketball games. Survivors include his wife, Sheila Menard, of Williamstown; his son, John Menard Jr., and wife, Aneita, of Milton; two daughters, Christine Menard-O'Neil and husband, Dan, of Essex Junction, and Emily Lam and husband, Liem, of Williamstown; seven grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; a sister, Gloria Graham, of Williamstown; a brother, Clifton Menard, of Americus, Ga.; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Wendy and Floyd Tucker, of Randolph; many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers-in-law William Graham and Bruce Kelton.
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