Clyde S. Pushard

CANTON, Mass. -- Clyde S. Pushard, 66, of Canton died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, surrounded by his family at his home.

Born in Gardiner, Maine, he had been a resident of Canton for the past 30 years.

He attended school in Gardiner and graduated as president of his class of 1958, having played varsity football and was a state pole vaulting champion, after which he continued his education and graduated from the University of Maine.

His shared a love and caring for people, which brought him to funeral service, and he attended the New England Institute of Anatomy & Sanitary Science in Boston, graduating with the class of 1968.

He began his career with Staples Funeral Home in Gardiner and continued his career with one of Boston's most prestigious Back Bay funeral homes, McDonald-Carley of Boston, after which he began his personal career in funeral service, becoming affiliated with and finally acquiring Roache Funeral Home in Canton, which thus became Roache-Pushard Home for Funerals. He and his wife have operated the funeral home since 1976, and in 1994 he was joined in his business by his son, Lawrence M. Pushard.

A member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association, he was honored by Boston media on several occasions for providing funeral services for several Boston families who were indigent and suffered a loss by violence.

He served for a period of time with the Maine National Guard as a captain and flew fighter planes.

He was active in his community. His family became members of St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton, where he served as a usher for many years; and he was a member of the Holy Name Society and of the St. John's School Foundation for many years.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2095 in Canton, and was active for many years as a member of the Canton Lions Club and the Association in Dedham for the Apprehension of Horse Thieves. His love of family and children was recognized by his service to the town as a Canton Recreation Commissioner for more than 25 years. He was also a member of the Canton Town Club, and a Norfolk County deputy sheriff.

The holder of a civilian pilot's license, in his spare time he enjoyed flying, golfing and vacationing in Maine.

He is survived by his wife, Anne L. (Scanlan) Pushard; his children, Lawrence M. Pushard and his wife, Lauren, of Canton, Jeffrey A. Pushard and his wife, Heidi, of Wales, Maine, Gary R. Pushard and his wife, Monica, of Alberta, and Lynne M. and her husband, Timothy, of Litchfield, Maine; and his brother, Richard L. Pushard and his wife, Charlene, of Chelsea, Maine. He was a loving grandfather of 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Clyde's funeral will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at his residence, Roache-Pushard Home for Funerals, 210 Sherman St., Canton, with a concelebrated Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, Canton. Interment will follow at Canton Corner Cemetery, Canton. Visiting hours will be 7-9 p.m. Thursday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday at his residence.

Flowers are appreciated or expressions of sympathy may be made in Clyde's memory to Saint John's School Foundation, P.O. Box 604, Canton, Mass. 02021.

Arrangements are in the care of Roache-Pushard Home for Funerals. (781) 828-2929