WINSLOW – Leland “Bud” Joel Bard, 91, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2024, with his wife Fern by his side after an extended illness at Northern Light Lakewood Continuing Care in Waterville.

The second of 12 children, Bud was born May 8, 1933, during the Great Depression to Alcide and Cecile Robichaud Bard on the family farm in Fort Kent, Maine. He was 12 when he left school to work on the farm. During these early years of farming, he developed lifelong traits of perseverance and ingenuity—he could fix almost anything. As a teenager, his family moved to Waterville and shortly thereafter he was drafted into the Army. There, he soon demonstrated his ability for mechanics and received advanced training. He serviced trucks, cars, the M47, and other tanks in Germany during the war and was a proud 5th Infantry Division Korean War Veteran. Upon returning to Maine, Bud married the love of his life, Fernande Bujold, on Sept. 27, 1958, and they settled in Waterville, raising six children.

Over the next 30 years, Bud owned and operated several independent automotive service stations in Waterville. He cemented his reputation as a hard-working, top-flight automotive troubleshooter and a trustworthy businessman. His last service center was Bard’s Auto Center on Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville.

Bud and Fern especially loved spending time at their Lakewood camp in Madison with their children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. Bud’s other favorite pastimes included jewelry design, gardening, hiking, dancing, attending theater performances, and traveling abroad. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with friends. Bud was a dedicated citizen and a 40-year active member and past president of the Waterville Exchange Club, a 47-year board member and past president of the former St. Francis de Sales Credit Union, among other organizations.

Bud was deeply loved by many for his gentle spirit and helpful demeanor. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Fern; son Steven, partner Laurel Piersol; daughters Lisa, husband Charles Clement; Celeste, husband Patric Santerre; Leanne, husband Arthur Davis; Janelle, husband John DuRocher; Venise; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Bud is also survived by siblings Ronald (Rita), Peter, Lorraine Belliveau, Valier (Janet), Claudette (George Rancourt), Elaine (Jim Lachance), and sisters-in-law Barbara and Jill Bard; as well as many more extended Bard and Bujold family members.

He was predeceased by his parents, Alcide and Cecile Bard; his siblings, Rosalind Joseph, Bernette Laney, Maurice, Bertrand, Rosaire “Shoe,” and Venise’s partner, Gene Parent.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville followed by a Celebration of Life at the Winslow VFW, 175 Veteran Drive, Winslow. A private interment will be held at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Augusta, at a later date.

The family expresses their deep gratitude to their extended family members, many friends, and Lakewood’s extraordinary staff, including hospice workers, for the kind support and love shown to Bud these past months.

Please visit Bud’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/bud-bard where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to support future mechanics at:

The Automotive Technology Program at Mid-Maine Technical Center

Bud Bard Scholarship

3 Brooklyn Ave.

Waterville, ME 04901

(www.mmtc.me/) or

to help children in need through

The Maine Children’s Home

93 Silver St.

Waterville, ME 04901 (www.mainechildrenshome.org/)