Former deputy chief, 60-year Harrisville fire volunteer dies at age 84

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BURRILLVILLE – A well-known volunteer firefighter in Harrisville who served as deputy chief of the village department for some 38 years died this month at the age of 84.

Norman P. “Joe” Menard died on Thursday, May 5 at Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket.

Born in Harrisville, he was the son of the late Pierre and Hermeline (Cabana) Menard, and remained in the village with wife Barbara A. (Lichon) Menard. The couple was married for 62 years.

Menard worked for Almacs as a truck driver for the former business for many years, and also worked for several years in Burrillville Town Hall, according to his obituary with Boucher Funeral Home in Pascoag. He served in the U.S. Army and was volunteer firefighter with the Harrisville Fire Department for 60 years, including the nearly four-decade stint as deputy chief.

Menard was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #383 Pascoag, a member of St. Patrick’s Church and a long-time coach for the Burrillville Jr. Hockey League.

Town Councilor Amanda Gingell, who serves as safety officer in Harrisville, acknowledged Menard at the board’s meeting on Wednesday, May 11.

“He was involved in multiple Burrillville community groups, serving as a coach for youth sports,” Gingell said. “He was well-known to the community, and it will definitely be a loss.”

Besides his wife Barbara, Menard is survived by a son, Stephen Menard and wife Mary of Harrisville; two daughters: Donna Verna of Hudson, NY, and Tracey Cabral and husband Michael of Nasonville; a brother, Donald Menard of Ind.; five grandchildren: Jarred, Jason and Jeffrey Cabral, Gian Verna and George and Julie Sparrow and two great grandchildren: Grace and Ben Sparrow. He was predeceased by a son, Mark Menard, and siblings: George, Cleo and Robert Menard, Olive Lapierre, Mildred Fournier, Doris Lapierre, Elaine Ferland, Evelyn Lapierre, Claire Mousseau and Janet Menard.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, May 16 at St. Patrick’s Church, followed by burial in the parish cemetery.

His family requests that donations can be made in Menard’s name to: Between the Cracks, P.O. Box 468, Harrisville, RI 02830.

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