Alvin L. Counard

Alvin Lee Counard, 81, of Green Bay, died peacefully at home with loved ones near, on March 25, 2025. Alvin was born on June 13, 1943, in Brussels, WI, to Ervin and Julia Counard, the fifth of seven sons.
Al grew up on the Counard farm, getting into just the right amount of mischief with his brothers Gene, Darryl, Jim, Lee, and Carl. Alvin attended Four Corners School (a one-room schoolhouse) and then Brussels High School. Alvin played basketball and football, though he admitted his signature basketball shot was from the bench, while football was much more his sport. Al graduated high school in 1961, and he and his prom queen, Diane Lardinois, were married a year later.
Al and Diane moved to Green Bay, where they would grow their family and make lifelong friends. After working for Proctor and Gamble, Alvin ventured into entrepreneurship. Whether it was a fire extinguisher business, selling insurance or running the campgrounds, when Al had an idea, he simply went for it. In 1974, Alvin opened the Abbey in De Pere, WI, along with his business partner Steve Harrison, and the rest, as they say, is history. Al was everyone's favorite bartender to visit, to work with, and to work for. Every customer and employee became a friend, and Al plays a part in many fond memories of college, happy hour, and Christmas Eve. After 25 years in the bar business, Alvin once again had an idea and went for it, entering the home appraisal business, where he continued to work until he fully retired.
Though many know Alvin from the Abbey, his family was his true source of pride. Al and Diane raised their five children - Kim, Kristal, Kerry, Kip, and Kara - in Green Bay, while keeping them connected to their Brussels roots through visits, family reunions, Belgian Days, and, of course, through Al's stories (which he swore were all true). Al loved to cheer for his kids, and later his
grandkids, in anything they did, and would brag to anyone listening that each of them was the very best on their teams. Al enjoyed drives on country roads and traveling across the country with his family and friends - to Indiana, to South Carolina, to Florida - but especially to places where he could get in a round or two of golf (he could recall almost every shot he took on every course.)
Alvin will be remembered for his ability to make everyone feel like a friend, for his bear hugs, for his strong spirit of generosity, and for his deep devotion to his family.
Alvin was preceded in death by his daughter Kim Singh, his parents Ervin and Julia Counard, his brothers Larry Counard, Gene Counard, and Darryl Counard, as well as his nephews Greg Counard and Ryan Counard, and several sisters- and brothers-in-law.
Alvin is survived by Diane, his loving wife of 62 years, by his children Kalban (Angela) Singh, Kristal Delbecchi, Kerry (Marilou) Counard, Kip (Bethany) Counard, and Kara Counard, and by his fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly: Megan (Lee) Hubbard and daughters Hazel and Iris; Diana (Harry Kispert) Delbecchi and daughter Ida; Marco Delbecchi; Logan (Janet Hernandez) and Julia Counard; Jaren (Bianca) Singh, daughters Jordan and Madison, and son Bronson; Rani (Perry) Tong; Madalynn, Livia, and Edyth Counard; and Augustus Counard-Ciechanowski. Al is also survived by his brothers Jim (Claudia) Counard, Lee (Joliene) Counard, Carlton (Fran) Counard, sister-in-law Audrey Counard, and many nieces, nephews, and dear family friends.
Family and friends may call on Tuesday, April 1, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Pfotenhauer Funeral Home, East Town Location, 2379 E. Mason St. Guests are welcome to wear Abbey apparel. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, April 2, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Bernard Parish, 2040 Hillside Lane. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Bellin Hospital and Home Health Care, and Unity Hospice who cared for Alvin over the last weeks. Diane would also like to thank her close, special friends who have cared for her at this difficult time, as well as Mike Peters, who uplifted Alvin with their daily chats and his support.
Romans 10:13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
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