Born in Farmington, MI, Mr. Beard enlisted in the Navy underage serving on the battleship USS New York BB 34 prior to accepting an appointment "from the fleet" to the U.S. Naval Academy (class of 1944) where he graduated and entered the U.S. Marine Corps. He was aboard an LST to reinforce Okinawa when the initial atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and ended up occupying the Japanese homeland. Mr. Beard was one of the first Americans in Nagasaki as part of the occupation of Japan. He retired in 1947.
Shortly after graduation from the USNA, Mr. Beard married Nancy Church of Fairhaven, MA. Paul and Nancy had three daughters: Marjorie Church, Judith Jane and Cynthia Anne; also a son, Paul Kenyon Beard.
Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, Mr. Beard took employment with Aerovox in New Bedford, MA, as an electronics engineer before moving on to Rotron in Woodstock, NY, as sales engineer, finally retiring as VP sales. Mr. Beard later bought the Old High School in Waitsfield, running that as a retail space until eventually selling it to be developed into residential condos.
Mr. Beard is survived by his four children: Vicki of Newport, RI, Judy of Wickford, RI, Cynthia of Pt. St. Lucie, FL, and Paul of Waitsfield; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A private ceremony will be held amongst the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service or the Joslin Memorial Library.
