Paul Bechard, CDR, USN, C.F.P., joined his beloved, Polly in heaven, July 11, 2015.
Born September 8, 1926 in Holyoke, Ma. to Joseph and Zelda Bechard, and survived by his three daughters; Paula (David) Hirst, Pamela (Cole) Hanner and Marie-Anne (Ted) Layne, grandchildren Avery (Joel) Solomon, Adam (Dorothy) Willis, Townshend Hirst, Phillip (Rebecca) Hanner, Ginnie (Greg) Stawicki, Whitney (Nate) Heatwole, Paul and Renee Layne, 7 great grandchildren and many family members and friends.
After graduating from Williston Academy (44), Ma. Maritime Academy (47), he served as a Merchant Service Officer for a year before being called to active duty in 1949 on USS Midway until 1951.
He met his wife Polly in Norfolk and married her in 1951. She predeceased him two years ago after 62 years of marriage.
Paul lived in Plymouth, Ma., after his marriage, completing his MS from Babson (53) and running the family insurance agency. While living in Norfolk (1954 to 1969) he ran Brown, Bechard Insurance agency, was active in Kiwanis, and had an unsuccessful run for House of Delegates. The family moved to Birdneck Point in 1969 where 40 years of making wonderful memories and having fun were spent. His career included serving on many financial boards as well as starting a Mutual Fund Company, owning an insurance agency, serving in the Navy reserves as an intelligence officer. He was a scrabble and chess aficionado and very difficult to beat, a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. He leaves a legacy of life lessons.
Paul was lovingly cared for by Hazel, Maribel, and Mila during his extended illness.