Bruce Allard

Bruce Allard, 74, of Petoskey, Michigan, and formerly of New York state and Vermont, died May 30, 2014, at Hiland Cottage in Petoskey, Michigan.

Bruce was born August 30, 1939, in Burlington, Vermont, the son of Lucien and Emma (Joyal) Allard. He graduated from the Cathedral High School in Burlington in 1957. In 1957, Bruce enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was proud to be a plank owner on the USS Independence. He received his honorable discharge in 1961 and then went on to the University of Vermont, where he graduated in 1966.

On July 15, 1967, Bruce married Donna St. Pierre in Essex Junction, Vermont.

He worked as a claims representative for Aetna and Travelers Insurance for 34 years.

Bruce was an avid hiker and was proud to be an “ADK 46er,” having hiked all 46 High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains of New York state in less than two years. He also belonged to the Catskill 3500 Club, having completed all peaks in the Catskills exceeding 3500 feet. He undertook and completed the “Firetower Challenge” of the Adirondack Mountain Club and also completed the Taconic Crest Trail Endto-End, a 29-mile section of the Taconic Crest Trail, in May 10, 2008. Once he moved to northern Michigan, he became a member of the Harbor Springs, Michigan, Chapter of North Country Trail Association and spent many hours doing trail maintenance along the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Bruce loved singing. He competed in many Barbershop Harmony Society chorus and quartet competitions, at the district and international levels, over a span of 40 years. He was a member of the Harmonie Meisters of Gaylord, Michigan, and Mountain town Singers of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and a past member of Racing City Chorus of Saratoga Springs, New York, and the Upstate Harmonizers of Utica, New York, and he sang with the Northern Michigan Chorale in Petoskey, Michigan.

Besides hiking and singing, Bruce loved spending time with his family, kayaking, reading, listening to classical music, playing acoustic guitar and writing poetry.

Bruce is survived by Donna, his wife of 47 years; two daughters, Kathleen Bazinau and her fiancé, David Drzewiecki, of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and Julie Allard and her fiancé, Chris Roames, of Chicago, Illinois; four grandchildren, Justin Bazinau of Mackinac Island, Michigan, Cpl. Michael Bazinau of Kaneohe Bay Hawaii Marine Corps Base, Rhiannon Bazinau and Brenna Bazinau of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Evelyn and William Bazinau of Wyandotte, Michigan; siblings, Charles Allard (and Carole Halpin) of Essex Junction, Vermont, Patricia Allard of Colchester, Vermont, and Paul Allard (and Jean) of Essex Junction, Vermont; nephew and nieces, David Allard of Keene, New Hampshire, Joanne Stygles of Essex Junction, Vermont, Karen Rolston of Colchester, Vermont, and Renee Allard of Mansfield Center, Connecticut; and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, James Allard.

A memorial Mass celebrating Bruce’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Essex Junction, Vermont, with the Rev. Charles Ranges officiating. Burial will follow at the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the ALS Association, 1275 K Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005 or online at ALSA. org. Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home of Petoskey, Michigan.