Earle William Allard of Bridgewater, Vermont, and Desoto County , Florida passed away on February 17th in Port Charlotte, Florida following a long illness.
Earle was born on May 8th, 1932, only son of Ada and William Allard of Bridgewater, VT. For nearly 60 years he shared his life with his wife and partner, Margaret "Peg" Allard. He was adored by his three sisters and brother-in-laws, Olive and the late Colburn Greenough, Pauline and Donald Carr, and Kathleen and Horace Carr, all from Bridgewater, VT. He was a strong father to his two children, Angela Allard of South Hero, VT, and Matthew Allard of Seattle, Washington. His two grandchildren, Kalvin Allard DeForge and Jessica Joyce DeForge, both from Colchester, VT, brought such great joy to his life, and he to theirs.
Earle graduated from Woodstock High School in VT in 1951, and married his sweetheart, Peg, on April 19th, 1952. Later that year he joined the US Army, travelling with his new bride to Fort Benning in Georgia for basic training. Soon after he was shipped out to Germany to serve as Military Police. After the service, the couple moved to Burlington, VT and then to Colchester. Earle began work as a lineman for New England Telephone and Telegraph, and proceeded through the ranks as well as company splits and mergers until retiring from AT&T in 1988. Thereafter, he and Peg have shared their time between homes in VT and FL, and Earle was active in the Volunteer Fire Departments in both states, was Sergeant of Arms of the American Legion in Bridgewater, and a member of the Bridgewater Historical Society.
Earle enjoyed many things over the years of his life; boating, hunting and fishing in years past. In more recent years, he loved his grandchildren, being a volunteer fireman, and helping his friends and family. Earle's passion in life was people. In both his VT and FL communities, Earle was the go-to-guy. A leaky pipe? I'll be over. A car that wouldn't start? Let me grab some jumper cables. Need a ride to the airport? I can do that. Putting a new roof on? I'll help. Earle was a calm and loyal friend and relative. He will be greatly missed. Remember him over your morning coffee or at afternoon happy hour, and remember him with a smile.
A Catholic Mass will be held on Friday, February 25th, 2011, 11:00AM at San Antonio Catholic Church, 24445 Rampart Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL. A gathering of friends and family will follow the mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Earle's memory to the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 163, Bridgewater, VT 05034. A graveside service will be planned for later this year in Bridgewater, VT under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock. Condolences may be expressed at Cabotfh.com