Leonard Bedard

OXFORD - Leonard J. "Buddy" Bedard, 91, died Thursday, August 1, 2013, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, after a short illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Anita B. (Cormier) Bedard of Oxford who died in 2010. He is survived by three children, Linda M. Balcunas of Oxford, Jay L. Bedard and his wife Kathy of Dudley, and Robin L. Pellerin of Madison, ME; five grandchildren, Joshua Balcunas and his wife Andrea of Charlton, Jessica Waters and her husband Seth of Charlton, Ryan O. Collins of Connecticut, Rose Pierce of Dudley, and Michael Laderman of Oxford; three great grandchildren, Kennadie T. Balcunas of Charlton, Joshua Derby of Dudley, and Mason J. Waters of Charlton; a sister, Winifred Menard and her husband Leo of Las Vegas, NV; a friend, Stephen Balcunas of Oxford; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by three brothers, Philip Bedard, Ernest Bedard, and Edwin Bedard; and three sisters, Beatrice MacIsaac, Isabelle Gagner, and Mildred Forand. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Louis J. and Martha E. (Martin) Bedard, and lived most of his life in Oxford. He attended Auburn Public Schools, Lee Institution of Brookline, and Mergenthiler Linotype School in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Bedard was employed by the Providence Journal in Providence, RI, as a typographical operator for 19 years, retiring in 1975. Previously, he was a worked at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. He was a member of the International Typographical Union and was a retired member of the Communication Workers of America. In addition, he was the owner of the former Cindy Classic Cuts in Oxford. Mr. Bedard was a real estate broker, builder, and notary public for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was the former chairman of the Oxford Planning Board, serving 10 years and helping to establish the first zoning by-laws in Oxford. He was the delegate from Oxford to the Central Mass Regional Planning Authority and served as secretary for 2 years. During this time, he helped to locate and design Oxford's first housing for the elderly, and as secretary, signed for the 1.3 million dollars in bonds from Chase Manhattan Bank of New York for the Commonwealth before the construction began for the project. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II for over 3 years, serving as a petty officer on a destroyer. He later served of the U.S.S. Guam, the Navy's new experimental battle cruiser in the South Pacific with the seventh fleet. He received the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 8 stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of the American Legion Post 58 and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5663, both in Oxford. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2013, at North Cemetery in Oxford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the V.F.W. Post 5663, 20 Federal Hill Rd., Oxford, MA 01540. Paradis Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.