Obituary for Dr. Rene J. Berard
On December 29, 2020, Rene, 84, sank the final par putt on the "Great Golf Course of Life". He died under a full moon surrounded by his loving family. Rene was born December 7, 1936 in Waltham, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Angeline Berard of Waltham, MA; his brother Leo, and sister Pauline, both of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
He was a graduate of The University of Massachusetts (1958), and Temple University School of Dentistry (1961). He served in the Cadet ROTC program and entered the US Army in 1961 as a Captain in the Dental Corps, stationed at Fort Irwin, CA.
Rene returned to his New England roots in 1965 and settled in Hingham, Massachusetts, where he established a practice of general dentistry for 35 years. In addition, he was a clinical instructor and lecturer at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston for 25 years. He retired to Chambersburg in 1999.
Rene met his Donna at a party at Temple University and they were married August 19, 1961. In addition to his loving wife, five children, and seven grandchildren survive him; Michael and Trish Berard of Kingscliff, New South Wales, AU; Kevin and Jacquie Berard of Hull, MA; Karen and Richard Johnson of Sandwich, MA; Michelle and Michael Oriola of Pembroke, MA; and Kristine and Clayton Whitfield of Peachtree Corners, GA. His grandchildren he referred to as "the magnificent seven": Michael and Evan Berard, Sean and Kelli Berard, Benjamin Johnson, and Joe and Anthony Oriola. His family was his most important accomplishment and he was extremely proud of all.
He served on the Safety Board of the Roy A. Himelfarb Surgical Center in Chambersburg, was a member of the Senior Table Tennis Group at the Recreation Center, a member of VFW Post 1599, Toastmaster International, the Pennsylvania and Cumberland Valley Dental Societies, and a former member of the Elks Club.
His second love beyond family was golf. He studied the history of the game and was always working on his swing, reading tips from magazines and golf books. He was a stickler for the rules, always played by the rules, and expected his partners to do the same. He was a sculptor of clay and cement, his many creations grace the house and landscape. Rene and Donna loved golf trips, road trips, visits to New England, winter cruises to the Caribbean, Superbowl Sunday's in Georgia, and annual family Thanksgiving gatherings. He was fan of the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.
Many thanks to Spirit Trust Lutheran Hospice for their kind, efficient, compassionate care of Rene. Their support of Rene and the family is deeply appreciated.
Due to Covid restrictions, the family will be holding socially-distanced services at their Chambersburg home on Saturday, January 2nd. Visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Rene requested donations in his memory be sent to Meals on Wheels organization (43 W. Washington Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201) or the Salvation Army (169 Lincoln Way West, Chambersburg, PA 17201).
He was a graduate of The University of Massachusetts (1958), and Temple University School of Dentistry (1961). He served in the Cadet ROTC program and entered the US Army in 1961 as a Captain in the Dental Corps, stationed at Fort Irwin, CA.
Rene returned to his New England roots in 1965 and settled in Hingham, Massachusetts, where he established a practice of general dentistry for 35 years. In addition, he was a clinical instructor and lecturer at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston for 25 years. He retired to Chambersburg in 1999.
Rene met his Donna at a party at Temple University and they were married August 19, 1961. In addition to his loving wife, five children, and seven grandchildren survive him; Michael and Trish Berard of Kingscliff, New South Wales, AU; Kevin and Jacquie Berard of Hull, MA; Karen and Richard Johnson of Sandwich, MA; Michelle and Michael Oriola of Pembroke, MA; and Kristine and Clayton Whitfield of Peachtree Corners, GA. His grandchildren he referred to as "the magnificent seven": Michael and Evan Berard, Sean and Kelli Berard, Benjamin Johnson, and Joe and Anthony Oriola. His family was his most important accomplishment and he was extremely proud of all.
He served on the Safety Board of the Roy A. Himelfarb Surgical Center in Chambersburg, was a member of the Senior Table Tennis Group at the Recreation Center, a member of VFW Post 1599, Toastmaster International, the Pennsylvania and Cumberland Valley Dental Societies, and a former member of the Elks Club.
His second love beyond family was golf. He studied the history of the game and was always working on his swing, reading tips from magazines and golf books. He was a stickler for the rules, always played by the rules, and expected his partners to do the same. He was a sculptor of clay and cement, his many creations grace the house and landscape. Rene and Donna loved golf trips, road trips, visits to New England, winter cruises to the Caribbean, Superbowl Sunday's in Georgia, and annual family Thanksgiving gatherings. He was fan of the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox.
Many thanks to Spirit Trust Lutheran Hospice for their kind, efficient, compassionate care of Rene. Their support of Rene and the family is deeply appreciated.
Due to Covid restrictions, the family will be holding socially-distanced services at their Chambersburg home on Saturday, January 2nd. Visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Rene requested donations in his memory be sent to Meals on Wheels organization (43 W. Washington Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201) or the Salvation Army (169 Lincoln Way West, Chambersburg, PA 17201).