Jean Claude A Bard

Jean Claude Bard, 89, of Saco, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

He was born in Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada, on February 19, 1936, a son of Albert and Valentine (Gagnon) Bard. He was educated in Canada.

Jean-Claude married his wife, Carmel R Ouellette, on July 14, 1956. The couple and their family moved to the United States in 1968. From the generation of hard work, he was employed as an auto mechanic for 50 years. His career started on the auto mile with Atlantic Motors in Sunny Saco, Maine. He also worked for Jolly Johns, Claire Ford, and retired from Prime Ford in 2001. Not one to sit still, Jean Claude drove the courtesy van for Prime Ford for 21 years, retiring for a second time in 2020. Jean-Claude enjoyed talking to customers and appreciated the relationships he formed while shuttling people to their destinations.

Jean Claude's hobbies included grilling on the barbecue, picking fiddleheads every May, and playing cribbage in various leagues. Family time spent together meant the most to Jean Claude.  Jean-Claude also organized and coordinated bus trips to St. Anne de Beaupré and Sugar Shacks in the Province of Quebec, Canada.  He was also a member of St. Jean-Baptiste, a men's catholic organization.  He was a long-time parishioner of Notre Dame, later transferring to the Most Holy Trinity Church within the Good Shepherd Parish.

He was predeceased by one granddaughter, Seneca Jane Bard, and by siblings Guy Bard, Danny Bard, and Gerard Bard.

He is survived by his wife Carmel Bard, four children, Donald Bard and partner Cindy Clark, Suzanne Hall and husband Charlie, Gilles Bard and wife Christine, and Lynne Smith and husband Rick. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Christopher Bard, Nicole Bard, Spencer Smith, and Logan Smith, as well as two great-grandsons, Jaxson Johnston and Charlie L. Hall, and a great-granddaughter, Jamie Hall. He leaves behind siblings Jacques Bard, Rino Bard, Michel Bard, Jean D'Arc Bard, Micheline Bard, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4-7PM Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, Saco. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11AM Friday, April 25, 2025 at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco. Burial will be private in Calvary Cemetery.

To view Jean Claude's memorial page, leave an online condolence or watch his family video, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com