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Wayne Gard Obituary
Leaving on a high note, Wayne Bliss Gard, 87, passed away on May 2, 2012. Born in Sioux City, Iowa in 1925 he left the farm for a life of music. With a Masters in Music from the University of Michigan, he began a long career in teaching music, then selling the very instruments he loved through his business of 29 years at Gard's Music. In 1960, he became the director for the Choral Program at Long Beach City College, serving a total of 17 years. His annual Christmas Concert, The Feast of Lights, was a major holiday attraction. He instituted a practice of performing at least one major work for chorus and orchestra each year and he started many young singers on the path leading to careers in music education and choral conducting. During this time he also played percussion with the Long Beach Symphony and other local ensembles including the Long Beach Municipal Band and the Civic Light Opera. He directed the choir at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Long Beach (10 years) and the choir at St. Cyprian Catholic Church in Long Beach (34 years). In 1978, Wayne retired from LBCC to start a new career as a music retailer with his own store, Gard's Music in Glendora, CA. Over the next 29 years he was dedicated to serving the music needs for local schools and colleges in the San Gabriel Valley and through his workshops, retail and rental programs, he helped music education and student performance ensembles flourish. He loved his family and was most delighted when putting on large family celebrations, especially his famous Easter Egg Hunt. He is survived by Mary Jane, his wife of 58 years; 7 children, Richard and (Evelyn), Steve and (Debbie), Chuck, Ted, Ruth and (Ray), Rosemary and (Stephen), Marisa and (Bill), daughter-in-law, Francesca; 11 grandchildren, Julienne, Madeleine and (Moshe), Drew, Derek, Corey, Ian, India, Kira, Curran, Kendall, Peyton and 1 great-grandson, Liam. He is predeceased by his parents, Elza and Ruth, and siblings: Lowell, Kenneth, Wesley, Maurine and Bernice. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 9 at 6pm at St. Cyprian Church, Long Beach, CA. . Please sign the guestbook at www.luybenfamilyd-m.com. Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell
(562) 425-6401
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Gard
Kathy O'Rourke
June 20, 2012
I am so sad to hear of Wayne's passing. Growing up in Indiana, we didn't get together with the Gard's as often as we would have liked, but the O'Rourke family trip to CA and the Gard family trip to IN where special times! As we kids grew up and took trips of our own, Wayne & Mary Jane always welcomed us for a visit or to stay the night. The friendship our parents shared, especially that of my mom & Mary Jane, which began in college in Iowa, has always been an inspiration to me. A true & lifelong friendship! Now Wayne and my dad are visiting again in heaven!
My thoughts & prayers go out to the entire Gard family, especially Mary Jane, whom I love dearly!
John Moreno
June 18, 2012
Dear Gard Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I feel so fortunate to have shared many a brief conversation with him. Always friendly, inviting and smiling. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. GOD BLESS!
Ellen O'Rourke
June 3, 2012
Dear Gard Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Wayne. He was such a good person. I will remember my last visit out to California and making a visit to their house. What a warm welcome. I hope you all keep your special memories in your heart. He will be missed.
Patricia Johann O'Rourke
June 3, 2012
To Mary Jane and family,
I just learned of Wayne's passing. My heart goes out to all of you who loved him so much. You are all in my prayers. I will always think of Wayne when I hear a marimba. I always enjoyed our visits. What a sweet man.
Patricia Johann O'Rourke
June 3, 2012
To Mary Jane and family,
I just learned of Wayne's passing. My heart goes out to all of you who loved him so much. You are all in my prayers. I will always think of Wayne when I hear a marimba. I always enjoyed our visits. What a sweet man.
Nancy Siris-Rawls
May 18, 2012
To Francesca, Julienne, Madeleine, and Drew...lots of hugs and kisses during this difficult time. My prayers are with you and the rest of the Gards. Grandpa is up there with Shad conducting the human and dog choir. It sounds wonderful, Shad says. Love you all oxoxoxo
May 17, 2012
In 1958 at Bakersfield High School, I joined the boys chorus under the direction of Mr. Gard. I don't think any of the students even knew his first name. He gave special attention to the few boys he thought might have the "stuff" to be a musician. I was one of those and went on to play bass trombone with the L.A. Philharmonic for 38 years and teach brass at CSULB. Now retired, I direct a pair of Compline choirs thus completing a circle that started Mr. Gard's boys chorus. He was pleasant, direct, a good communicator and a very talented musician. I lost track of him after High School and only found of his passing from a note in the ChoralNet. In was not sure it was THE Wayne Gard until I saw the nuptual photo on this website. That's the Mr. Gard I remember. Farewell, Mr. Gard, farewell. In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum
Jeff Reynolds, Nevada City, CA
May 14, 2012
Dear Friend,
Peace to you and your family,
I came from Iowa. Wayne, and I could
relate well, I am now in Michigan.
He helped me to progress, expected much
and got a lot. I had much fun in his class and helping in his shows.
Sympathy to his family in there time of Loss.
Blessings,
Ralph Thurston
May 12, 2012
Ruth and all...I just heard about Mr. Gard's passing and am so sorry. He was a great neighbor and friend. He will be missed by so many people in Long Beach and surrounding area. Everyone looked up to him.
Sam Golden
Mushroom Montoya
May 11, 2012
Dear Gard Family,
I remember being 18 years old and coerced, by Norma Hall to audition for choir. My knees were shaking as I stood in front of the whole choir while Mr. Gard smiled and plunked the piano keys. "Can you go higher? Try this one. Good! How about this one?" I was sweating bullets by the time he finished. He smiled and said, "You're a 2nd tenor but you can hit the 1st tenor notes. You'll be one of my 1st tenors." From that day forward I looked forward to going to LBCC. Mr. Gard is a teacher that I am so grateful that I had.
Mushroom Montoya (Formerly Ernest)
Buddy Pacheco
May 10, 2012
To Ruth, Rosemary, Ted, and all the Gard family, my condolences on the loss of your father. He leaves an amazing legacy in all of you. Take care of mama Gard!
Jay Frushour
May 10, 2012
God saw him getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around him and whispered "Come to Me." With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
Cynthia Ford
May 9, 2012
My deepest sympathies, go out to the Gard Family. Mr. Gard was the best choir director, he would always take time out to help his students, no matter what the problem was. He now joins my Mom, who recently passed in singing in a Heavenly Choir.
I will keep the Gard family in my prayers for peace and comfort at this difficult, God Bless
Sheila Lucero
May 9, 2012
My deepest sympathonies go out to Mrs. Gard, Ted and the family. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I have so many fond memories of all the years I worked with Mr. Gard and our Gard's family at the store. He will truly be missed.
David Brandow
May 9, 2012
Condolences to Mrs. Gard, to my classmate and childhood friend, Richard, and the entire family. He taught me piano from an early age through college. It was an memorable experience belonging to the LBCC choir. I will miss not seeing you in church and whenever I sit down to play, you will always be there at my side.
May 8, 2012
My deepest sympathies to you all. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sure Wayne is up in heaven directing his own choir of Angels of which my Dad must be a part of!
Sincerely,
Annette Locnikar
Neil and Becky Cothern
May 7, 2012
Wow...the memories are flooding back. Our days in the LBCC choir are some of our very best. Rest in God's peace, Mr. Gard. And thanks for the memories!
May 7, 2012
I will offer Mass for Wayne and hhis family, with special notice to Chuck and his family. With prayerful gratitude, Father Tom Royce, S.J.,Portland, Or.
Tom Mc Avay
May 7, 2012
I heard the angels needed a new choir director. They got the best.
Tom Mc Avay
The Blake Family
May 7, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Margie Mc Avay
May 7, 2012
"When the sun goes down, the tide goes out, the people gather 'round and they all begin to shout..." we owe such a debt of gratitude to the man who held the LBCC choir together as the cohesive, second family to us all who were privileged to be a part of it. I am so grateful to the man who was 'instrumental' in my musical career as I followed in his footsteps bringing the Feast of Lights to St. Joseph's High School in Lakewood, St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood, Corpus Christ Church in Carson City, NV and Our Lady Of Wisdom Newman Center at UNR (University of Nevada Reno). Every step along the way I acknowledged the inspiration for this program and so much more that I was taught by Mr. Gard. I look forward to reuniting with those of you who can attend the funeral on Wednesday, to show our love, support and prayers for Mary Jane and the family.
Susan and Brian Prew
May 6, 2012
Dear Marisa, We were so sorry to hear about your father's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts during this difficult time. Susie and Brian Prew
Cheri Daum
May 6, 2012
Our deepest sympathies to the Gard Family. Please make sure someone continues the Easter Egg hunt in his honor! Hugs to all of you!
Jason and Cheri (Schnepf) Daum
80th birthday
May 6, 2012
Gard Family
M Gard
May 6, 2012
Wayne with great grandson Liam
M Gard
May 6, 2012
Carla Strandberg
May 6, 2012
We are grateful for Wayne's lasting contribution to music and to the artistic development of the Greater Long Beach Community. His warmth, energy and dedication will not be forgotten. Condolences to you, Mary Jane, and to your entire family. Much love and appreciation, Carl and Karl Strandberg
Mark Kuhlmann
May 6, 2012
Dear Gard Family,
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with each of you. Wayne will be missed, but his music is in all who had the opportunity to know him.
Our Love is with you!
Audrey Casella
May 6, 2012
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember his great smile and the joy he got from sharing his music. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Candi Smith
May 6, 2012
Aunt Mary Jane and all,
It is with deepest heartfelt sympathy that I write this that Uncle Wayne will be missed very much, as he was loved very much, not only by his loving family, and by many others. My favorite uncle has gone to heaven, so now I have to be good - smile. Our family's prayers are with each and everyone of you during this trying time. May the shadow of darkness always be behind you and the light of sunshine always be at your side.
Love, Candi (Gard) Smith, husband Robert & family, Mesa, AZ
Nabil and Gayda
May 6, 2012
Marisa, so sorry to hear about your dad. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Alex and Nicole Conrad
May 6, 2012
Marisa and Family, you are in out thoughts and your father in our prayers. We send sincere sympathy to all of you.
Mark Fackler
May 6, 2012
My thoughts a prayers are for all those who know and loved Wayne.
Shelvescuffie, Shortywomas or Basteyhobin?
Ruth Williamson
May 6, 2012
Linda Schnabl (Russo)
May 5, 2012
Mr Gard touched the hearts and souls of his students. I was in his LBCC choir and Madrigals 1965-67. He treated his students with love and repect. I've kept in touch ever since and so glad I went to see him and Mary Jane just last August. He is now directing one of
God's heavenly choirs!!
May 5, 2012
Wayne was a true gentleman. He and I spent time together at LB. Memorial Hosp. heart re-hab center exchanging stories about Iowa and many other topics. I will truly miss him. My sincere sympathies to the Gard Family.
Bob Curl
Long Beach
Mark Mesi
May 5, 2012
Thank you Mr. Gard for your sweet persona and making a difference in so many lives.
May 5, 2012
Marisa, Chuck and Family,
We are thinking of you at this most difficult time. Our prayers are with you, your Mom and your family members.
Thom and Christine
Donna Jones
May 5, 2012
Some of my fondest memories are when I was in the Long Beach City College choir. Mr. Gard was so much fun yet was able to take that age group and teach us so much. Thank you Mr. Gard!
Terralee Pettinger (Brown)
May 5, 2012
I was in Mr. Gard's choir and madrigals in 1974-1975 and went on a trip to europe with the choir as well. It was a wonderful experience I will never forget.
Craig Chambers
May 5, 2012
I remember Mr Gard while I was at LBCC in the Viking Band. Mr Gards Choral room was right next door to the Band Room. Always friendly rivalry between the Band and Choral members. I remember once when doors were left open while the Band Rehearsed and Mr Gard caame over complaining that the Band was playing too loud while he was teaching the Choral Group. We told Mr Gard that the Band was supposed to be loud. Mr Gard left and then closed the doors. That was fun. Craig Chambers Viking Band Member, Manager, Equipment Manager. 72'-74'
Drew Gard
May 4, 2012
Though I was far away when you left us, I'm thankful for all the weekends and holidays we got to spend together for many years. Love you.
Francesca Gard
May 4, 2012
Thank you for years of wonderful traditions and memories. You will be missed.
J Gard
May 4, 2012
Oh how I will miss that smile....
Love you forever, Grandpa.
Sandy Schnepf
May 4, 2012
Dear Gard Family, our sincere sympathy to you all from your Iowa cousins. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love from the Schnepf's
May 4, 2012
Mary Jane and ALL,
My sincere sympathy to all. We were so blessed all these years. Hugs
Brenda Bos-Martin
May 4, 2012
Ruth , Marissa and family- I am so sorry to hear about your father. My prayers are with you all and send my love to your mother! I wish I was closer so I could hug you all! Much love and prayers, Brenda (Bos) Martin
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