Norman T. Rivard, Jr. Obituary (1947

Norman (Bud) Rivard died peacefully at his home in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, on February 19, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 22, 1947, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, to Katherine Gayla Lindsley Rivard and Norman T. Rivard, Sr., and, like his parents, carried many character traits of the classic Vermonter. He was a kind man of quiet strength, dry humor, unwavering moral fiber, and limitless work ethic. A man of incomparable skill, intellect, and wisdom, he had no regard for titles or status symbols, but instead used his gifts to benefit others. He was an elementary school educator for 36 years and retired as the beloved principal of Northeast School in Vernon, Connecticut, in 2005. He provided a beautiful life and opportunities for his family through the power of hard work, by supplementing his teachers salary with construction and tree service businesses, building his familys home in Andover, Connecticut, with his own hands, fixing instead of replacing, and never outsourcing any task he could do himself. Bud gave generously to his community in many large and small ways, from serving on the Board of Education of his childrens school system to serving on the board of the Heart Pond Association, and he was always available to anyone who needed help on a project. He had an energetic and adventurous spirit, and in his retirement, he enjoyed carving a graceful turn on the ski slopes with his children and grandchildren, shooting rapids in his canoe, and hiking the National Parks with his cherished wife. He enriched the lives of hundreds of students, colleagues, friends, and family members, who mourn that a rare neurological condition took his life much too soon. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Pamela Byam Rivard, with whom he was head over heels in love, his children Kathryn Rivard Colburn and David Rivard, their spouses, Kevin Colburn and Cora Rivard, and his four adoring grandchildren, Nathaniel Colburn, Graham Colburn, Will Colburn, and Mia Rivard. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Frances MacDonald and Claudia Caswell, and their children, Ben and Karen Magowan, Kelli and Joe Cicirelli, Scott and Jennifer MacDonald, and Jessica and Chuck Milam, and many great-nieces and nephews, who loved their Uncle Bud. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Parish Unitarian Church, 2 Westford Street, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with a luncheon to follow. To honor Buds lifelong commitment to the well-being of children, in lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to The Dougy Center, a non-profit organization that provides support for children and families after the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. You may give online at www.dougy.org or by calling (503) 775-5683. To leave a fond memory of Bud, please find us on Facebook. Service Information March 10, 2018 11:00am, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church 2 Westford Street Chelmsford, MA 01824