J. Arthur Simard

LEOMINSTER - J. Arthur Simard, 91, of Leominster died Monday, August 29,2011 after a brief illness. He was born in Leominster on November 24, 1919, son of the late Mitchell A.and Lydia (Simard) Simard. Arthur grew up in Leominster and graduated from Leominster High School with the class of 1939. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Air Force in the 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. He was a graduate of the New England Institute in Boston where he received his degree in funeral service. He was also a graduate of Stevens Business College in Real Estate and Worcester Junior College in Waste water Treatment. He was Vice President of the M.A. Simard & Son Funeral Home in Leominster for many years.He was the Supervisor & Sanitary Chemist for the city of Leominster's Waste Water Treatment Plant for over 30 years; he retired from that position in 1982. He was a member of the Union St. Jean Baptiste, the Franco American War Veterans, a life member of the American Legion, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars,a life member of the Leominster Elks,a member of the New England Water Pollution Control Commission,Past Director of the Massachusetts Waste Water Treatment Plant Operators Association,a member of the New England M.G.T. Register, a member of the EJAG, North America, a life member of the 20th Fighter Group Association and a member of the AARP. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Lorraine C. (Belanger) Simard who died in 2007. He leaves three daughters,Andrea R. Munderloh of Westfield ,Adele L. Bodanza and her husband Mark of Leominster,Celeste A. O'Shea and her husband Charles of Bradenton, FL; one son David A. Simard and his wife Lisa of Leominster;a sister in-law Rita Simard of Leominster; seven grandchildren;three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Henry A. Simard, Louis E. Simard,Hector J. Simard,Robert J. Simard and by five sisters, Sister Cecile (Cora Simard), Veronica S. Robichaud, Olive Byrne, Ida Moore and Cecilia Dominque. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 2, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. in the Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St. , Leominster .The Rev. David P.Bodanza will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia's Cemetery,Leominster. Calling hours will be held Friday, from 11 - 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital 200 Spring Road, Bedford, MA 01730. To sign the online guest book please visit www.simardfuneralhome.com Simard Funeral Home 14 Walker St., Leominster is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });