Bruce H. Bard

BRUCE H. BARD
CAROLINE - Bruce H. Bard of 3322 Slaterville Road, Caroline, NY died October 29th, 2008. As he fought courageously to stay among loved family and friends, he often commented, "I can't complain, I've had a wonderful life." And that he had. Born in Unadilla, NY to the late Herman and Wilma Bard on August 1, 1931, he spent his childhood raising rabbits, gardening, doing odd jobs, writing the school paper, being involved in community service and church activities and becoming an Eagle Scout. He came to Ithaca for college at Cornell belonging to the Fraternity, Algonklin Lodge and graduating with a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Science in 1953. At Cornell he was part of ROTC and went on to Columbus, Ohio to serve 2 years with the U.S. Air Force Police. He became a 1st Lieutenant, leading the Drum and Bugle Corp. and managed the prison there.
In 1954 he married Joanna Scorsone and they returned to Ithaca in 1956 moving soon to Caroline where he resided with his family until his death.
His work, community involvement, volunteerism and stories will long be remembered. His work included writing advertising for GLF (now Agway), Pall Trinity (Cortland) and Sprout Waldern (PA), school bus driver, owning and managing a woodshop, teaching countless courses at BOCES, Caroline Building Inspector and his most well-known work, his general contracting business.
He gave his all to community organizations and committee work. He was a founding member of both Slaterville-Caroline Community Assoc. (15 years) and Alcoholism Council (15 years president or secretary); 30 years secretary Slaterville Volunteer Fire Dept., member of Slaterville Ambulance, EOC (27 years secretary); Better Housing (20 years), Ithaca School District Transit Advisory Committee (15 years as chair), Caroline School PTA (12 years), Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4H.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joanna Bard; children, Lorraine, Susan and Timothy Bard; grandchildren, Shannon, Cameron and Ella Bard, Jeremy and Adam Haddow, Troy and Wyeth Uhler; great-granddaughter, AnnaLynn Haddow; brother, Roger Bard (NYC); sister, Wilma Sevon (Maine); aunts, many cousins, nieces, nephews and a world of friends.
He will be dearly missed by many, but his work, stories, humor, helpfulness, antics and adventures will live on in the minds of those who knew him.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church with Rev. Michael Mahler officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Slaterville Ambulance Fund.