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1936
2022
Armand “Frenchy” Cyril Menard of Wallingford, Connecticut passed away on Tuesday, June 28th at the age of 85. After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Frenchy passed away at Midstate Medical Center surrounded by family.
Frenchy was born in Hardwick, Vermont on October 28, 1936 to father George L. Menard and mother Diana E. Menard (Boulias). Born and raised on a dairy farm, Frenchy had a natural sense of how all things mechanical worked. Often, Frenchy would invent “contraptions” to help make his farm chores easier. After obtaining a GED, Frenchy enlisted in the air force, and was stationed in Nova Scotia during the Korean War. It was there that he earned his nickname that would stay with him for the rest of his life. When calling for “airmen” over the loud speaker on the base, servicemen would often be confused as “airmen” and “Armand” sounded the same. Thus, Armand became Frenchy.
After his service in Nova Scotia, he met his beautiful wife, Mollie Barton, at a base in Texas; they married in 1958. Shortly afterwards, Frenchy & Mollie moved to Connecticut where they started their family and their business. After working jobs as a mechanic at various repair shops, Frenchy and Mollie opened their own: Frenchy’s Auto Repair, which is still operating over 40 years later. As a lifelong Wallingford resident, Frenchy served many terms on Wallingford’s Planning and Zoning board, a contribution to his community of which he was very proud.
Frenchy is survived by his wife, Mollie Menard, his siblings, Lionel G. Menard, Ivan A. Menard, Marcelle E. Houde, Terese L Ferguson, Marie M. Yeager, and Cecile Valcour; children Mitzi Sinclair, Joseph and Alison Menard, Robin Hawthorn, Joshua Menard and Nicole Dionne; grandchildren Sara and Joshua Brody, Amber and Steve Hasler, Armand and Sarah Menard, Laura and Joshua Chase, Jessie and Joshua DePonte, Emma Hawthorn & Kyle Lyde; great-grandchildren William & Abner Brody, Kaylee and Kaiya Hasler, Aurora & Asher Menard, Dylan & Hannah Chase, Maxwell and Mollie DePonte. Frenchy was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings John L Menard, Arthur W. Menard, Leo E Menard, Martha S. Menard, Denise Bushey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima, 382 Hope Hill Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492, on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 11:00 AM with a private family burial following. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at the Hartford Healthcare Reception Room at the Oakdale Theater, 95 S Turnpike Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492 at 1 PM.
27 Entries
Robert J Sinclair
August 13, 2022
God Bless Frenchy and may he rest in Peace! That man saved my life, and made life possible for me. I will always be grateful to him and miss him
Diane Griser
August 13, 2022
Dear Mollie, Mitzi, Joe, Robin and families,
We are so very sorry to learn of Frenchy’s passing. My childhood memories with your close knit family swimming in your pool, weekend sleepovers and the memories of my growing up in Wallingford will always bring a smile to my face. Frenchy always made me feel welcome. May time heal your pain and bring you all peace. Our deepest sympathies, Dee and Dave Griser
Carol Gennette
August 7, 2022
We just want to express our deepest sympathies for your loss. It was a pleasure to have known him (we were occasional customers over the years). May he rest in peace. Sincerely, Carol and Guy Gennette
Beverly Sniegowski, Admin
July 30, 2022
Our VCH, Veterans Coffee House meets monthly at the Wallingford and Cheshire Senior Center which not only gives our Vets the chance to socialize but also take part in enjoying a guest speaker which are related to military topics. We were founded in 2017 by Mark Halliday and Robert Boucher. Our Veterans are an exceptional group of men and women and our intention is to bring together to socialize, offer assistance and support. Please contact us for any further interest. [email protected]
At this very difficult time, our group would like to honor the loss of Armand Menard as a fallen brother. Our military Veterans send out their heartfelt condolences to the Menard family and friends. As an Air Force Veteran, he had joined an elite group of honorable men and our Country will forever be in his debt.
Allen Moore
July 29, 2022
Joe, Alison and family. Sorry for your loss.
Mike Desautels
July 21, 2022
I am so very sorry for your loss. I was 16 when Frenchy gave me a job at the garage. I learned a lot from him. He helped me with many things throughout the years he was a good friend that really cared for us. What a legacy of being so admired by so many people
Debbie
July 20, 2022
Dearest Mollie, I was so sorry to hear of Frenchy's passing. I'm sure you and your family have so much to be proud of and so many great memories. Frenchy and your son's helped me so much throughout the years with my vehicles. Mollie I will always remember our talks at KeyBank, you were always one of my favorites. Hope your cats are doing well. My love and prayers are with you and your family. Love Debbie
john A Young
July 18, 2022
Frenchy fixed my Daughters car for many years, thank you very much!
A good man and person who loyally served the Town of Wallingford for many years.My deepest sympathy to the Menard Family!
RIP "Frenchy"!
John A. Young
Cromwell,Ct
Mike Barnett
July 17, 2022
Mitzi,
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Beverly Sniegowski, Admin
July 17, 2022
Our VCH, Veterans Coffee House meets monthly at the Wlfd Senior Center which not only gives our Vets the chance to socialize but also take part in enjoying a guest speaker which are related to military topics, slide presentations and Q&A.
At this very difficult time, our group would like to honor the loss of Armand Menard as a fallen brother. Our military Veterans send out their heartfelt condolences to the Menard family and friends. As an Air Force Veteran, he had joined an elite group of honorable men and our Country will forever be in his debt.
Nicholas Gavallas
July 15, 2022
I knew Frenchy many years ago when I was joining the Army I actually had a discussion with him about what job I should pick in the military and he advised that mechanics would be a good career and that maybe he would give me a job when I was done with the service. Well I took his advice and became a mechanic although I never took him up on the job offer. He was a good man and a nice guy had a lot of respect for him. God bless you all.
David Pascarelli
July 15, 2022
So very sorry to hear of Frenchy's passing. I was a young boy when I met him several times at our family summer gatherings at my late father's (Frank Pascarelli, Sr.) house. He was a close military friend of my Father's for many years. He used to put me on his shoulders in the pool and throw me up in the air! He will be sorely missed. My condolences to the entire family on your loss.
Steve Masella
July 15, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We will always remember for his kindness and always there when times where hard and he would be right there for me
Pamela Flagg
July 13, 2022
I worked for Frenchy He was a very giving man and never turned any away when they needed him. There is not enough room on this page to say how I feel about Frenchy, Mollie I love you , may you find peace and comfort knowing that he is a peace with the Lord. French use to help me with my family, Kyle, who is with his grandaughter Emma was born while I was working for him.
Frenchy Rest in Peace no more pain. My love and Condolences to the family.
Glenda Salisbury
July 10, 2022
Frenchy was my TRUSTED mechanic for many many years. My deepest sympathy to his family at this painful time. Rest in Peace Frenchy
Stephen Matcheson
July 10, 2022
Friends since 1964. R.I.P. Frenchy. Steve Matcheson
July 8, 2022
Frenchy and I were the same age, except for a few days, of which I often reminded him being older.
We road together often and riding with him was like having your own private mechanic.
It is said that the best we can hope for in life is to become someone else’s good memories. My god frenchy you have succeeded. Gods speed!
Jerry Chase
Sandra Thibodeau
July 8, 2022
So sorry for your loss Waited on Frenchy and family for many years He was a great man RIP
Peter Luedee
July 8, 2022
To the family of Frenchy Menard. So sorry to hear of your loss. Rest In Peace my fellow veteran.
Sandy Schwink
July 8, 2022
Mollie and family, my sincerest sympathies in Frenchys passing.
Carol KENNEDY
July 7, 2022
So very sorry for your loss, Molly and family. May your faith snd happy memories bring you some peace.
Robert Parisi
July 7, 2022
Frenchy was good family man and a very good friend and mechanic we had many good times at the garage and did some crazy things.
Frenchy will be missed and He gave freely of himself for the benefit of hitown and its people.
May he Rest In Peace ,
Jennifer Short
July 7, 2022
My deepest sympathy to Jessie and of course the entire family - they are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
"Frenchy" was so good to my parents and siblings over the years ... he will be forever remembered as a devoted Wallingford Community Citizen.
God bless you all during these difficult days, remember to always stay focused on all those beautiful and loving memories. Jen Short Johnson and the entire Johnson family
Katrina
July 7, 2022
My deepest sympathy to the family.
A 20 year regular I looked forward to seeing. —gone but never forgotten.❤
Katrina, Rick’s on 5
Martha Brown
July 7, 2022
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. My deepest symathy to you all.
I remember "Frenchy" many, many years ago when I'd bring my car to his garage near the underpass. He was a nice man, easy to talk to, and was an excellant mechanic. I moved from the area but still remembered the garage, and "Frenchy".
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results
Aug
13
11:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Fatima
382 Hope Hill Rd, Wallingford, CT
Aug
13
1:00 p.m.
Hartford Healthcare Reception Room at the Oakdale Theater
95 S Turnpike Rd, Wallingford, CT
Funeral services provided by:
Wallingford Funeral Home - Wallingford809 North Main Street Ext., Wallingford, CT 06492