BRADLEY and BANGOR – James Edward Byard, Sr., 74, died March 30, 2005, at his home in Brad-ley. He was born Feb. 8, 1931, in Bangor, the son of Walter Robert and Jeannette Edith (Strout) Byard. James was a U.S. Navy veteran serving in the Mediterranean on the U.S.S. Robert H. McCard, a U.S. Army veteran and served in the National Guard and Army Reserve until retiring in 1991 and went on to retire from Webber Oil in 1993. He was a member of the American Legion Post 84 of Orono, the Daniel Geagan Post 4917 V.F.W., and the recipient of the Silver Award. He was also a member of Rising Sun Lodge No. 71 AF & AM of Orland, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Bangor, ME Consistory 32nd Degree and Anah Shriners. Surviving are his wife, Janice L. Byard of Bradley; his children, Patricia Byard of Veazie, Elizabeth Byard of Hancock, Jeffery Byard and wife, Tikie of Prescott, Ariz., Renae Byard of Milford, and Shirley Ripley and husband, Brent, of Calais; a daughter-in-law, Susan Byard of Rumford; step-daughters, Ann Soule and husband, David, of Greenbush, Debra Vigo and husband, Tony, of Forida; grandchildren, Brenna and Alyson Byard, Aaron Rogers and wife, Julie, Tessa Byard and husband, Nate, Jesse Byard, David Williams, Christopher and Shawn Ripley, Courtney and Heather Soule, Justin and Rachel Vigo; a great-grandchild, Harley Rogers; a sister-in-law, Vera Byard; nephew, Robert Byard; niece, Cathy Byard, all of Utah; cousins, Donald Jordan and Donna Manzo of Aurora; special friends, Morag Robertson of Hancock, Alden and June Abbot of Orrington and Laurel Ozno of Aurora. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Walter “Bob” Byard and a son, James E. Byard, Jr. Friends may call 6-8 Sunday, April 3, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a Masonic memorial service will be held at 7:45 p.m. by the officers and members of Rising Sun Lodge No. 71 AF & AM of Orland. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Brookings-Smith, with the Rev. Robert T. Carlson, Chaplain of Husson College, officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be held in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor, immediately following the interment. Those who wish to remember Jim in a special way may make contributions in his memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children, care of Anah Shriners, PO Box 735, Bangor, ME 04402-0735.
JAMES EDWARD BYARD SR.
