Daniel E. Girard

Daniel E Girard, 79, of Estero, FL and W. Granby, CT, left this world peacefully on January 8, 2023. He was born on December 1, 1943, to Dominique and Bernadette (Ferland) Girard, in Simsbury, CT, where he was raised and attended high school. This August he would have celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary, married to his beloved wife, Elaine (Lescarbeau) Girard. They met at their high school graduation party and married 2 years later. They raised their 3 children in their beautiful W. Granby home, with February vacations to Disney and visiting family in Florida. Their love of the outdoors and mild temperatures led them to become “snowbirds”, then eventually Florida residents. It has been said by many, that their marriage is the gold standard that many aspire to. In addition to his wife, Danny leaves his children, Paula Abrahamson, and her husband, Todd of Colchester, CT; Steven Girard and his wife Bonnie, of W. Granby, CT, and Karen Sanstrom and her husband, Linus, of Hebron, CT. He was just simply the best dad in the world! He was so proud of his 6 grandchildren, who all grew up locally, so there was lots of family time spent together. He delighted in seeing them all grow up to become wonderful adults. His grandchildren adored their “Papa”. Rachel and Nathan, Heather and Kyle and Jacob and Abby were so blessed to grow up and learn his life lessons. He leaves behind his 4 devoted sisters, Lorette Archer, Susan Menard, Valerie North and her husband, Kevin and Donna Bemont and her husband Randy, as well as many brother and sister in laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all who he loved dearly and who loved him. There really was no such thing as an “in law”, marriage or blood, you were family. And family was everything to him. Danny was predeceased by a son-in-law, Steven Abrahamson, and twin granddaughters Emma and Sadie Abrahamson, who he is surely holding in his arms now. There are so many rejoicing with him in Heaven, as we mourn him here on earth, including 4 brother-in-laws, Roland, Paul, Albert and Al, his mom and dad, Bernie and Mickey, his parents in-law, Jeannette and Roland, a nephew, Jeff, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Danny grew up on a farm in Simsbury, CT, which is where his hard work ethic was formed. He joined the US Air Force in 1961 and served in the Air National Guard, until his honorable discharge in 1967. He worked as a cabinet maker and then joined the family business, eventually becoming VP of SimsCroft-Echo Farms, Inc. He was also very involved with the Utilities Contractors Association in CT. He worked alongside his cousins, who were more like brothers, Michael, David and Greg until his retirement in 2012. Danny was talented and creative. No task ever seemed too big. His home in CT always had the perfect lawn, framing the beautiful brick driveway and unique raised patio that he built, complete with a fountain and surrounded by gorgeous out-buildings and landscaping. He brought his talents to his home in Estero, FL, where he was the inspiration behind the “Breck Deck”, a beautiful patio that the Breckenridge community enjoys every day. Danny will be missed by so many. He was very active in his church (both CT and FL) and a devout Catholic. Many will remember him with a tennis racket in his hand. His love of tennis was almost as great as his love of church and family. He loved to sit on the Breck Deck or at the Granby Tennis Club and enjoy a beer with friends after a match. He loved to fix things, help others, play marbles (of course he crafted the marbles board himself), work on any project, be outdoors and socialize. He loved music, Elvis, Queen and outdoor concerts. His family will always cherish the summer tradition of sharing a table at Simsbury Meadows, for the Hartford Symphony summer concert series. He just loved life and people in a way that we should all learn from. This is why, when a series of debilitating strokes took away his speech, and left him physically incapacitated, we were all devastated beyond words. To see such a bright light go out, has been unfathomable. We are all struggling, trying to imagine a world without Danny in it. But he would absolutely want us to live life to the fullest as he did, remembering to always be humble, loyal, loving and kind. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 12th, at 2:00 P.M. in Our Lady of Light Catholic Community, 19680 Cypress View Drive. All are welcome. This day is significant because Danny’s mother, who recently passed at the age of 100, is being laid to rest on the same day in CT. His father’s funeral was also on January 12th, in 2011. There will also be a Celebration of Life held at the Breckenridge Clubhouse on February 17th at 6:00 P.M. In addition, there will be a Mass of Christian Burial with Military Honors, in CT sometime in May of 2023. Details will be forth-coming. In lieu, of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. To sign Danny’s guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home & Crematory Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Daniel E. Girard

December 1, 1943 - January 8, 2023