Gerald Allard Obituary
Gerald “Gerry” R. Allard, 67, died on November 1, 2005 at his home on Marco Island, Florida. He was born on August 30, 1938 to Edmond L. Allard and Florence Y. (Houde) Allard. He was raised on the West Side of Manchester and graduated from Bishop Bradley High School in 1956, and Admiral Farragut Academy in 1957. Shortly after marrying his true love, Ann V. Sourdif, he graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1961. Mr. Allard served as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in Mississippi and Long Island, NY. He then joined his father in the family business, Granite State Machine Company, which later became Allard Industries and then Allard Nazarian Group. Gerry and Ann raised their family in Manchester, where his entrepreneurial spirit extended to business as well as humanitarian efforts. He was a member of the Catholic Church in both Manchester and Marco Island, FL. He was an active member of the Manchester and State Jaycees, Manchester Winter Carnival, the Young Presidents Organization, and many other civic groups. He enjoyed politics and was active in many campaigns. A strong advocate on behalf of those less fortunate he was a contributor to many charitable causes. Among them, he bought then donated the building for the New Horizons Soup Kitchen and helped raise the funds for its rehabilitation. He later also gifted to the YMCA an athletic facility in Goffstown, now known as the Allard Center. He donated houses for Habitat for Humanity, and contributed greatly to Child Health Services, the Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross, New Hampshire Easter Seal Society, and Angie’s Place. His generosity was boundless. A firm believer in each individual’s potential, Mr. Allard mentored and advised many start-up business owners, giving them their start and helping them to succeed. He enriched the lives of all he touched, whether in business or the community. He backed his words with action and believed firmly that the business community had an obligation to give back to the community. This he continued in his retirement lending a hand in his Marco Island community in similar ways. A lifelong Red Sox fan, he reveled in his team’s World Series accomplishments in 2004. He has passed on his enthusiasm to his children and grandchildren. Recently his social calendar was filled with whatever youth sporting activity in which his grandchildren were participating. Each of them knew that he was their biggest fan. He leaves his beloved wife Ann Allard, his mother Florence Allard, his brothers and their wives, Maurice and Anita Allard and Ronald and Louise Allard, his sister and her husband Claudette and Robert Gottsegan, his sons and their wives Michael and Ricci Allard and John and Karen Allard, and his daughters and their husbands Lisa and Joseph DiBrigida and Kim and Tim Socha. He will be remembered lovingly by his ten grandchildren, Max, Sarah, Chase, Tucker, Joey, Logan, Sophia, Phoebe, Sydney and Jack, numerous cousins and other members of his large and tight-knit family and many dear friends. SERVICES: The family will receive condolences at the Family Residence, 92 Riverview Park in Goffstown on Sunday between 1:00 and 5:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 on Monday at the Parish of the Transfiguration, 305 Kelley Street in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Horizons NH or Angie’s Place, PO Box 691, Manchester, NH 03105, Child Health Services 1245 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101, American Red Cross, Manchester Chapter, 1800 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104, Easter Seals NH, Inc., 555Auburn Street, Manchester, NH 03103. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium is in charge of arrangements. For more information, go to www.phaneuf.net
