VAN BUREN – It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Charles Learnard Sr.
announces his passing Friday, July 8, 2011, at the age of 70. Bob, son of Herbert Sr. and Pauline Learnard of Van Buren, passed surrounded by family, during a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer for which he sought advanced treatment at Cancer Care Center of Brevard, Melbourne, Fla.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 24 years, Della “Coco” St. Germain Learnard; and his five children, Bobby and Lana Learnard of Las Vegas, Lisa Lajoie and Steve Stylianos of Palm Bay, Fla., Ricky Learnard, Debbie Cyr and Kristy Learnard, all of Van Buren. Bob will also be fondly remembered by his 11 grandchildren, Mario Longo, Josh, Jay, Brooke and Sky Lajoie, Christopher and Cejay Cyr, Jace and Makayla Aldridge, Beau and Hunter Learnard. Bob is survived by nine siblings, Herbert Learnard Jr., Linda Corbin of Van Buren, Richard Learnard, Mavis Bouchard, Joyce Violette of Caribou, Donna Saggese of Limestone, Carol Learnard of Monroe, Conn., Helen Barker of St. Francisville, Ill., and Edna Giannelis of Wilmington, N.C.
A native of Van Buren, Bob graduated from Van Buren High School, and was a successful businessman and automobile salesman. He was a volunteer firefighter, served on Van Buren School Board, Van Buren Town Council, numerous boards and associations, and was an active member in the Maine Democratic Party.
A funeral service in memory of Bob will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, at St. Peter Chanel Parish, St. Bruno Catholic Church, 174 Main St., Van Buren. Those who so desire to join the fight against pancreatic cancer may make donations in memory of Robert C. Learnard Sr. to the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund, care of Northern Maine Medical Center, 194 East Main St., Fort Kent, ME 04743 or www.nmmc.org.