Vincent J. Rivard

Vincent John Rivard, 78, of Leominster, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

Vincent was born in Fitchburg, the son of the late Wilfred and M. Priscilla Rivard. He was predeceased by his first granddaughter, Mercedes Aleigha Rosado-Rivard. He was also predeceased by his sister-in-law Anne Rivard and brother-in-law Doug Casker, his godparents Arthur and Rose Duval.

He leaves his loving wife of 53 years, Sharon, who cared for him in their home until his passing. In addition to his wife, he leaves his children, who meant the world to him, Kim (Rivard) Salazar, Michelle and Marc LaFrance, and Adam and Catrina Rivard. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Kiara, Aleigha, Thomas, Peter, Acadia, Kate, Jiana, William, and Owen; and two great-grandchildren, Laina and Elias. As the second of 15 children, he leaves his brother Michael Rivard, his sister Winifred and husband Randy Edwards, his sister Louise and husband Richard Cote, his sister Laura Casker, his sister Catharine and husband Paul Revell, his brother Gerard and wife Linda Rivard, his sister Priscilla and husband Stefano Panagiotidis, his sister Ramona and husband Mark Stiles, his sister Celeste and husband Rodney Bourgault, his sister and goddaughter Patrice and husband Peter Doolan, his sister Bernadette and her life partner Christopher Juliano, his brother Wilfred Jr., his brother Christopher and wife Brenda Rivard, his brother Nicholas and wife Laurie Rivard. In addition to his siblings, he leaves his sister-in-law Janet Colburn, four godchildren: Patrice, Jeff, Jonathan and Matthew, cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

Vincent attended Notre Dame Academy in Fitchburg, MA, and served in the Army Reserves for six years. He attended WPI before working at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, as supervisor of vehicle maintenance for over 35 years. Following his retirement in 2001, he and his beloved wife traveled by van across the US and Canada to Alaska. This was a trip they both had dreamed of, and they have many fond memories of their journey.

Vincent couldn’t really retire, as he was always itching to do something thus following that trip, he worked at Paul’s Rental and then Wachusett Mountain. He was a hard worker and a jack of all trades. If something needed to be done, Vinnie, did it or learned how.

He loved the great outdoors. From camping to running, Vinnie found joy outside. He ran the Boston Marathon in 1986 and numerous road races. As time went on, he enjoyed trail running and mountain running becoming a “mountain goat.”. At the age of 70, he ran up Mount Washington. Beside running Vinnie enjoyed geocaching with his wife donning the name the Dinosowers. Vinnie loved a challenge from Jeopardy to various card games.

He is dearly missed but we know that he is watching over us. Keep running in heaven. We all love and miss you.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his running club, North Medford Club, PO Box 2064, Westford, MA 01886.

A private funeral will be held.

The family invites all to a celebration of Vincent’s life at Mount Wachusett Lodge, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA, on Sunday, November 24, 2024, from 2 to 5 P.M. with light fare.

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