VERO BEACH, Fla. – John G. Rivard, 72, died Dec. 5, at his home in Vero Beach, Fla., with his family by his side.

He was born in Rumford on Sept. 13, 1936, to Marjorique and Josephine (Arsenault) Rivard. He attended Rumford schools and graduated from Stephens High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years as a radio operator. Upon returning to Rumford, he worked in the Oxford Paper Mill for 39 years.

He coached basketball and Little League baseball for many years. He was quite an athlete, playing and enjoying many sports.

After retirement he volunteered at WVAC Channel 7, played golf and bridge. While wintering in Florida, John played on the amateur circuit winning enough points to become a pro in shuffleboard.

He was a member of the Rumford Falls Aerie 1248, FOE, Blazing Star Lodge 30, a lifetime member of Rumford Lodge 862, BPOE, and a member of the Napoleon Ouellette Post 24, American Legion.

He leaves his wife Jean of 47 years; daughter Sandra; son-in-law Michael; and grandchildren, Christopher and Nicole Volkernick, all of Scarborough; brother Roland; and sister-in-law Phyllis of Bath.

He was predeceased by brothers Leo, Raymond, Robert and Paul Rivard; sisters, Irene Rivard, Muriel Mildram and Anita Huff.