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RAY GARARD Obituary
Ray Evans Garard, age 73, died peacefully on March 21, 2011 at his home in Boynton Beach, FL. Beloved husband for 40 years to Colleen Pierce Garard; loving father of Glee (Michael) Hoonhout, Brittany (John Paul) Bania and Hillary (Ben) Jackson; dear grandfather of Tobias, John Luke and Noah Hoonhout, Jack and Hunter Bania and Nate and Declan Jackson; brother of James L. (Mary) Garard Jr. and the late Genie Ann Garard Craighead. Ray was the son of Eugenia (Evans) and James L. Garard of Chicago. He attended North Shore Country Day School; New Trier High School; Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in business. He was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Ray began his business career in advertising at J. Walter Thompson on the Kraft account. His true interest in photography and in people led him into residential real estate. So began his 30-year career in helping people buy their homes at Baird & Warner Realty in Winnetka. Ray loved the game of golf. He was a member of The Glen View Club, Quail Ridge Country Club, and The Country Club of Florida. Ray's other activities included skiing and travel. Ray also loved his country. He was proud to have served in the Air National Guard. He always wore a small American flag pin on his suit lapel. One of his favorite holidays was the Fourth of July when he'd play anthems of our Armed Forces loudly. He was grateful and proud to be an American. A memorial service was held in Boynton Beach, FL., at the Chapel of St. Thomas More Church on March 26, 2011. He was also a parishioner of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Northfield. A Funeral Mass in celebration of his life will be held Saturday, May 21, 2011, 10 a.m. at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church, 191 Linden St., Winnetka. Ray was active on several charity boards in Chicago. He enjoyed being a Director and longtime supporter of the Allendale School for Boys and Girls in Lake Villa, IL. At Ray's request, in lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to Allendale School for Boys and Girls, P.O. Box 1088, Lake Villa, IL 60046. Info: 847/675-1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com. 
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Memories and Condolences
for RAY GARARD
Chuck Hipsher
September 1, 2011
I've just stumbled across this news and my heart is so very heavy. Colleen, Glee, Great Britain and Hill Street - not sure if you're still checking this site, but if so, please know how deeply saddened I am for you. What a beautiful, passionate, intelligent and Dick Van Dyke lovable guy Ray was. I have fond memories of him and his glowing, knowing smile. God Bless you and yours. Chuck
Michael Garard
May 25, 2011
Dear Colleen, Glee, Brittany & Hillary:
What wonderful memories I have of my Uncle, from teaching me great characteristics to have when selling homes (Realtor kinship) to the times we had playing golf, and still the best quote I will always cherish, "The film is cheap, the event is not, take lots of photos". We will miss him, but not the memories.
Michael, Marjorie, Olivia and Peggy
Macauley Carter
May 19, 2011
Dear Colleen, Glee, Brittney,and Hillary,
I want you to know that I have nothing but the warmest of memories of Ray, and his wonderful, friendly,and zany doings, going back over fifty years, and including Cleveland, Sea Island, and Chicago. I was especially grateful to see Ray and Colleen at Mary and Jim's wedding, a special gift I know we were lucky to have. The Carters are thinking of you and sending love from Marshalltown, Iowa, at this difficult time.
Susie Callahan Dunn
May 15, 2011
Dear Colleen, Glee, Brittney and Hillary,
I feel like I have lost a father figure for sure - our lives have been so closely linked for almost 30 years!! Ray was such a lovely man - a techie and talented photographer at heart! He was such a trusted friend and resource to my parents on all Winnetka real estate matters! It really is because of him that they are in their current place and they simply love it! I am especially grateful for the time I was able to spend with Colleen and Ray this summer while visiting my parents and that he got to see our first baby, Emily! I wish more than anything that I could be with you all at the Memorial Service - my parents will be there bringing my hugs and support to you all! You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
Lots of love
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Jeanne Walsh Jeffris
May 5, 2011
Dear Colleen, Glee, Brittney and Hillary, So very sorry and shocked to hear about Ray. I have so many great memories of all the Garards on Thornwood going back to my earliest days. I still have the photos Ray took the winter I was 14. He had gotten a new camera and we were out playing after a huge snowstorm. Ray came over to try it out and took pictures of us sledding, Toby rolling in the snow, Dad plowing and more until finally the camera froze! He was tons of fun and so energetic. He loved you girls and was so proud!
A big hug to all of you and your Uncle Jim too.
April 25, 2011
Dear Colleen, So very sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I remember meeting him years ago. He was a lovely man and we shared an interest in real estate together. May your memories and your family help you through these sad and difficult times.
Dimpy McDevitt Morvis
Pamela Smock
April 17, 2011
Glee, I have been wanting to find you for awhile now and, surprisingly, the announcement about your dad's passing was the first thing that came up on google. This was just now - today - after I was able to find out your married name.
Glee, I am so sorry about your loss - although I never met him, those few weeks with you after high school in Spain make me certain he was a lovely and loving man and father. While I have no first-hand memories of him, I do of his wonderful daughter, you. My condolescences to you and your familes. I will try to get in touch with you more personally. Pam (Smock), New Trier West '79
Susan Downing
April 8, 2011
Dear Colleen,
I was so saddened to hear of Ray's passing. Please know you and your family are very much in my prayers and thoughts.
Fondly,
Susan Downing
April 8, 2011
Coleen,
I was so sorry to hear that Ray has passed on. I haven't seen him in quite a few years when he visited Naples. He was a terrific gentleman. My prayers are with you.
Karen Champion Smith
Mary & Andy Burd
April 5, 2011
Dear Colleen,
We are so sorry to learn of Ray's death. Please know we are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. You are in our prayers.
Mary & Andy Burd
April 3, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. It is very difficult to bear the loss of a loved one. May the God of tender mercies who strengthens us in our trials and hardships sustain you at this most difficult time--2 Cor. 1:3, 4. C.Day
April 1, 2011
Dear Colleen,
Just a short note to let you know that I'm thinking of you at this time. I was so very sorry to hear about your husband, and I wanted to express my sympathy to you and your family.
Love, Marie Andrea
Lynn Martin
March 31, 2011
Dear Colleen, I am so sad to hear about Ray's death. I miss seeing you both at Church and around Winnetka. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Fondly, Lynn and Rob Martin
Barbara and Tom Wick
March 31, 2011
How sad Tom and I feel, to see the end of Ray's earthly journey. He was such a special friend, always positive and cheerful and upbeat and willing to share. We will deeply miss his warmth and his smile.
To Colleen and all his family, please accept our deepest sympathies and our condolences.
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