WATERVILLE – Arnold Wilson Grard, 85, of Fairfield, died Saturday, March 6, 2021. He is the loving husband of Virginia M. (Roundy) Grard with whom he has shared 63 years of marriage.

He was born in Fairfield on Dec. 9, 1935, the son of George William Sr. and Maude (Bowden) Grard. Arnold grew up in Fairfield and was a 1954 graduate of Lawrence High School, where he excelled at football and baseball. He married Virginia May Roundy on Aug. 3, 1957. Arnold was no stranger to hard work, retiring from Keyes Fibre Company in 1998, after a 44-year career.

Arnold was a jokester and loved making people laugh. He was an avid sports fan and loved his New York Giants. Arnold’s greatest joy was cheering (coaching from the sidelines) for his grand-children at sporting events and spending summers camping and fishing in the north woods of Maine with his family and friends.

Arnold was a fixture on the sidelines at Lawrence Bulldog football, basketball, and baseball games. He found great enjoyment for many years volunteering as a coach for the Fairfield PAL Youth Football league, where he made a difference in the lives of many kids in the community.

In addition to his loving wife Virginia, Arnold is survived by his children, Janet Grard, James Grard; his grandchildren, Brandon Ludden, Evan Grard and Jordan Grard; his great-grandchild, Dillon Ludden; his sisters, Dorothy Trahan, Lorraine Buker, and Linda Rogers and his brother, Rick Grard. He was predeceased by his brothers, George Grard Jr., Hervey Grard, and sister Marion Fann.

In honoring with Arnold’s wishes there will be a graveside service in Maplewood Cemetery in the Spring.

Arrangements are in the care of the Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield, where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com