Vernard R. Picard GYSGT. RET., age 77, died on Saturday morning, July 7, 2012, after battling a long illness, with three of his daughters, Linda, Rebecca and Susan, at his side. Vernard was born in St. Albans on June 1, 1935 son of the late Verdon R. and Gladys A. (Smail) Picard.

After graduating high school, Vernard served his country honorably with the United States Marine Corps. through the Vietnam War as a Bugler and in Communications and Intelligence.

On April 1, 1955, Vernard married Janice Levesque, who predeceased him in death on June 14, 2001.

Upon retiring from the military, he returned home with his family and retired from the United States Postal Service.

In his earlier years, Pike loved fishing and hunting. In the winter, during ice fishing season, he would be the first person out on the ice, and the last person to leave.

He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post #1 and the VFW Post #758 of St. Albans.

His life was hard, battling alcoholism every day and with his stubbornness, it may have kept some distance from his children, but he loved all of them and was very proud of them even though he didn’t say it often.

He lived his life the way he wanted to and he was a Marine to the end. Semper Fi, Daddy.

He is survived by their children, Vance R Picard of St. Albans, Timothy J. Picard and his wife Brenda of Georgia, Pamela J. Picard of Florida, Victor R. Picard and his wife Melinda, Linda Longley and her husband Steven, Rebecca A. Bean and her husband Christopher, and Susan A. Dutkiewicz and her husband Tony all of St. Albans, his son-in-law Carlo Corbeil of St. Albans, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and cousins. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, Lawrence Marcoux of Arizona. Besides his parents and wife Janice, he was predeceased by a daughter Vera L. Corbeil on May 9, 2010, and his only sister Ellen Marcoux on February 28, 2012.

Thank you to the St. Albans Health and Rehab for the care you gave to him. To the “West Wing” –all of you men and women who showed him love and cared for him with thoughtfulness and professionalism, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 13, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. in the Brady & Levesque Funeral Chapel with Dr. Rev. Marguerite Gage officiating. Friends may call at the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., from 2 to 4 and & to 9 P.M. Thursday. Interment will follow in the Picard family lot in the St. Albans Bay Cemetery. A reception will follow at the American Legion in St. Albans. Online condolences can be sent to the family at the funeral home website: www.bradyandlevesque.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home and Commemorative Services.