Mark Louis Adrian Rivard

1958 - 2024

Mark Louis Adrian Rivard

August 22, 1958 - December 18, 2024

Mark Louis Adrian Rivard, 66, passed away December 18, 2024. His family and friends are heartbroken at the sudden and very unexpected loss of Mark who died Wednesday morning. God needed him more.

Mark was born August 22, 1958, the 11th child of Adrian and Mary Ellen Farman Rivard of Kankakee, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother James; sister Fran (Herb) Barnett; and nephew Andrew Barnett of Cordova, TN; brother Tom (Linda) Rivard of Kaiser, Oregon; and brother-in-law Al Cote, Chebanse.

He is survived by his wife, Susan (Su); his sisters, Marguerite (Al) Cote, Chebanse, Mary (Jeff) Martin, Kankakee, Catherine (Lee) Hahs, The Villages, FL; his brothers, Joe (Sherry) Rivard, The Villages, FL, John (Gloria) Rivard, Arvada, CO, Steve (Chris) Rivard, Wyzata, MN, Phillip (Patty) Rivard, Grand Rapids, MI; brother-in-law, Herb Barnett, Collierville, TN, brother-in-law, Jon (Mary) Kleinman, The Villages, FL, and all of their children and grandchildren.

After attending Catholic grade and high schools in Kankakee, Mark attended Benedictine College in Naperville then transferred to and graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow, and then on to Illinois State University for his MBA.

Mark was born to be an entrepreneur. It began with his grade school paper route, then his Fresh Cut Lawn business after college, then Genuine New York Deli which he and his wife created, leading them to GNYD Food Service which served area companies including Nestle Beich, GTE, GE, and Eureka Williams. His tremendous work ethic, mathematical brain and years of experience owning and operating these companies lead to the founding of their current corporation, Cafeteria Alternatives, Inc., which has been a private outsourced company for OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL, for the past 28 years.

Mark's upbringing influenced his compassion for others in need. Whether it was someone stranded on a roadway, someone needing warm clothing in the dead of winter, or someone with a disability who needed a friend, he always found in his heart to help. Because of this, he and his wife created Little Wishes Foundation which is part of the Children's Hospital of Illinois, Peoria. Little Wishes supports the "wishes" of all children hospitalized because of injury, cancers and other diseases. From special birthday gifts and holiday parties, to last wishes of a dying child and their family, Little Wishes has been there to help. Little Wishes also provided all fun toys, books, games and creative supplies for the Activity Centers on each floor of the Peoria Children's Hospital, helping bring smiles to young faces.

Mark was also very passionate about golf and baseball, the two sports he grew to love during his life. He was an avid golfer with a determination to make his game the best it could be. Over the years he participated in many charity golf outings, always had time for weekend golf with his wife, and took advantage of opportunities to travel around the country with family and friends for much anticipated rounds of golf. Mark was also a diehard Cub fan. He rarely missed watching their ballgames, always cheered for them with a positive attitude, knew statistics about most players, was thrilled watching them win the 2016 World Series and was forever hopeful they would do it again!

Despite his untimely passing, Mark left a tremendous legacy of faith, compassion, work ethic, and continuous strength to fight roadblocks and obstacles that life presents. Mark also was a tissue, bone and eye donor which will help up to 75 patients in need.

With heavy hearts, Mark's wife and family are grateful for and thank our McLean County, Dale Township, and Bloomington first responders who quickly, efficiently and professionally answered our call for help with compassion and caring. May God bless you all.

Mark's Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, 1800 Eastland Drive, Bloomington (www.carmodyflynn.com.) A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may also be made to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation supporting first responders and veterans, the Chicago District Golf Foundation serving individuals with disabilities, youth and veterans, or plant a tree in Mark's name through the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org.)