[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1296-E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF JOHN F. GIRARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, on August 12, 2018 the Town of Norwich, 
Vermont lost a longtime member of the community, John F. Girard. He was 
revered for his service to the town, its school and especially its 
children.
  I would like to include in the Record the eulogy delivered by Dan 
Fraser, a former student and lifelong friend.

              In Memory of John F. Girard--Aug. 25, 2018.

       It has been a rough few weeks for all of us, especially the 
     Girard, Adams, Capps and Culverhouse families.
       Mr. G. was a man I knew extremely well. The family asked me 
     to speak some about the time when his children were growing 
     up. The Girard and Fraser families go back almost 50 years! 
     The first four Girards and Frasers are all the same age--
     Johnny--sorry John--you will always be Johnny to me and my 
     brother John, Lauren and I, Mikey--Mike and Rob, Linsey and 
     Mat--something in the water that year? Linsey spelled with no 
     D and Mat spelled with only 1 T. Then my sister Jen completed 
     out the team.
       Norwich was not as large as it is today, there was no 
     internet--some families only had one car--like both the 
     Girards and the Frasers. We grew up in a time without daycare 
     and Mrs. G and my Mom stayed home raising all of us kids and 
     I would say they did a pretty darn good job!
       The Girards moved here in 1966 from Somerville, MA, when 
     Mr. G was hired to teach at the Marion Cross School. My dad 
     returned from Vietnam in 1972. Ironically enough, it was at 
     St. Francis of Assisi Church where our families first met--
     right over there behind us. Mrs. G noticed my mom as a new 
     comer at church and that was the beginning of a lifelong 
     friendship that continues on among our families today. Every 
     first communion, every confirmation, every wedding and 
     birth--our families gathered to celebrate. In addition, every 
     Christmas Eve--the tradition was that we went to mass and 
     then back to the Girards for dinner and an evening of fun. 
     All of us kids would wonder what gifts we might get in the 
     morning. Mrs. G's famous homemade eggnog, spinach squares, 
     shrimp, and lasagna were enjoyed by all. Mr. G would 
     entertain us all or we would sit and watch a Boston sports 
     team play on TV--he could never contain his excitement.
       When there were not holidays or celebrations, it still 
     meant we would go to the Girards to hang out or they would 
     come to our house. In the winter, it was sledding and 
     building snowmen outside. During the summer it was riding our 
     Green Machine big wheels for hours on end tormenting the old 
     ladies around Jones Circle with all the noise they made. 
     Green Machines--the gift from last Christmas--Mr. G put 
     together 4 of them for us to all share. And we rode bikes on 
     the trails--in the wooded lot behind the Girard's house 
     before Mascoma Bank put in their parking lot and paved it. Of 
     course there were Lou's donuts on special occasions, with 9 
     kids we could polish off 3 dozen pretty quick. The Girards--
     are simply the best--as all of us here today already know.
       Calendar squares--here in this envelope are calendar 
     squares from the 2019 calendar. If there are not enough--just 
     pick a date sometime next year. We are all here to pay 
     tribute and honor Mr. G. We need this tribute to carry on so 
     on your date--you do something for some member of his family. 
     Send a card, flowers, make a phone call, drop off a dessert, 
     a meal, or pay a visit and share a story. All year long the 
     Girards will be reminded of how amazing Mr. G was and he will 
     always be remembered.
       Lauren--this one is for you: Now what about the jars of 
     peanut butter and jelly and boxes of crackers. Mr. G's 
     favorite snack--peanut butter and jelly on crackers. Thank 
     you to everyone who brought one of these items--Lauren they 
     are here, as you wished--enough for all the various Girard 
     families to take home and any extra will be donated to The 
     Haven in his honor.
       As I look out across this field, I see a crowd, some old, 
     some young, some locals and some with roots here who traveled 
     from great distances. Mr. G the impact you have had on so 
     many, the footprint you have left, the learning and life 
     skills you so enthusiastically shared will last for 
     generations.
       How do you honor a man like Mr. G--A legend in his own time 
     who in his lifetime already has a scoreboard in Tracy Hall, 
     the Marion Cross School gym and a road named after him. He 
     was the first Citizen of the Year, and here we sit at Girard 
     field.
       It is often said that it takes a village. Well Mr. G, you 
     for over 52 years, you have been here for our village--
     Norwich. Today, is payback! The village of Norwich is here 
     for you and the Girard family. I am so proud of how Norwich 
     has really rallied on this one. Thank you all who helped make 
     this happen.
       We are going to start backward with the youngest first:
       Linsey--as a special tribute for you and your family to 
     honor your father: on May 8, 2019 there will be a wine 
     tasting to support The John Girard Fund established by you 
     and your siblings at The Norwich Rec. Dept. This will be an 
     annual Event.
       Mike--as a special tribute to you and your family to honor 
     your father, and to tie in with your work in education as a 
     teacher, Marion Cross School has declared Nov. 4th to be John 
     F. Girard Day and he will be honored each year on this date. 
     This date was not chosen at random, but we know this date has 
     a double significance to your family.
       Lauren--as the most local, as a special tribute to you and 
     your family to honor your father--it seems fitting that Dan & 
     Whit's will have an ice cream cone day for Mr. G. We will 
     donate 100% of sales today to the John Girard Fund at the 
     Norwich Rec. Dept. established by you and your siblings in 
     his honor. A wonderful Norwich couple will match all funds 
     raised today. Please be sure to stop after this event to 
     support the effort. This will be a yearly event, in the 
     future it will be held on Aug. 12, the day of his passing so 
     that his memory lives on forever.
       John--as a tribute to you and your family to honor your 
     father--Mascoma Bank has donated a $2,500.00 Scholarship in 
     honor of Mr. G. This will be awarded to a graduating Hanover 
     High School Athlete or athletes. This individual must have 
     attended Marion Cross School.
       You all know for me, it is about keeping it local--so for 
     the extended Girard family--as a tribute to you all, the 
     businesses in the Norwich community have also been impacted 
     by Mr. G and the Girard Family. Aug. 12, will be Mr. Girard 
     Day in Norwich--the following businesses will contribute and 
     make a donation based on sales in his honor to The John 
     Girard Fund established by his children at The Norwich Rec. 
     Dept.
       The Norwich Inn, Carpenter and Main Restaurant, Diane's 
     Casual Cuts, the Norwich Bookstore, Dan & Whits. I have not 
     had a chance to reach out to all Norwich businesses, so we 
     welcome all businesses from any town to join us and 
     participate. The intent of this day is only intended to 
     increase the funds in John Girard Norwich Rec Dept. account, 
     the fund established by his children--please do not turn it 
     into anything more than the business community supporting 
     this effort. Please reach out to me for details. This will be 
     an annual event.
       Now for the Matriarch of this wonderful family: Mrs. Cathy 
     Girard--Mrs. G--as a special tribute to you and honor your 
     husband--this speech will be offered to the Norwich 
     Historical Society and more importantly read on the floor of 
     Congress and entered into the Congressional Record in 
     Washington, DC. Mr. G will be eternally honored at the 
     national level. Nothing could be more fitting. Special thanks 
     to Norwich resident and Representative Peter Welch for making 
     this happen.

[[Page E1297]]

       Mr. G I know you hated being in the spotlight but look at 
     what you have created. Mr. G you changed lives. Mr. G you may 
     have left us, but your spirit will live on with us forever. 
     Godspeed Mr. G.
       Thank you,
       Dan Fraser

                          ____________________