Melvin Vincent Menard, Sr.

“Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ 

                but in thankfulness that he was.”      

                           Hebrew proverb

With great sadness, the family of Melvin Menard Sr. share his passing  from life unto eternity on April 12, 2024 at the age of 91. 

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.“  Revelations 21:4

Melvin Menard Sr. was the fourth born child of ten children to Armand and Gertrude Lamoreaux/Menard on December 4, 1932 from the small town of Jefferson, South Dakota.  Melvin Menard  joins his deceased  parents Armand Menard-California and Gertrude Lamoreaux/Menard-California; and his deceased brothers and sisters:  Wayne Menard-California, Duane Menard-California, Andy Paul Menard-California,  Francis Menard-California, Francine Nation-Colorado, and Sally Thompson-California all who preceded him from life unto eternity. He leaves behind his sister Helene Jones-California, Carol Stepps-California and Armand Menard-Iowa.

Melvin Menard attended Catholic School in Jefferson, South Dakota and successfully completed  his academic education through the eighth grade.  He was a dedicated Altar Boy Server and he played for his school's basketball team, the Jefferson Blackhawks as a point guard.  Because of his early connection to the Catholic Church and religious life, his faith grew and he remained faithful  throughout his life.  At the young age of nineteen, he voluntarily enlisted into the military and became a Marine.  He served his country well and was rewarded with  many honors. 

Upon his return, he reconnected with the love of his life, Norma Jean Gunderson from Sioux City, Iowa.  Melvin, also known as "Frenchy" and Norma became inseparable.  Wedding vows were exchanged  December 11, 1954 at the Circuit Court of the County of Union in South Dakota by the Justice of the Peace.  And later, April 2, 1955 their civil union was blessed  by The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento, California. And so, thus began their 50 years plus love story. 

Melvin and Norma lived in California and South Dakota for a brief time before making their way to Colorado, to the place they would call home. They settled their growing family into Commerce City, Colorado.  Here they celebrated many happy occasions like the births of six of their ten children.  

Melvin and Norma raised  their 10 children, and eventually became grandparents to 26 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. They brought their family up in the Catholic faith and we all are truly blessed for this.  Melvin, like Norma, believed most wholeheartedly in family life and made family life a priority.  Family was everything! Melvin, our loving dad, grandfather and great grandfather, loved visits from his grandchildren! The great grandkids fondly nicknamed him Farmer Grandpa because he loved working outdoors and wearing bib overalls!

Melvin was no stranger to working hard for a living.  He was a man who wore many different hats - a blue collar worker, and Jack of all trades. We, his children, grew up with his work ethic. “When the going gets rough, the tough get going!”  From working at a railroad to construction, to landscape work, managing a 3.2 bar business, custodial work, security guard or managing a car wash he wasn’t afraid of taking on the next challenge. We, his family are so grateful for his commitment to our family. We were truly blessed…

His wife Norma preceded him into heaven in 2005 and  their son Jimmy before that. Melvin Menard is survived by his children and their spouses Pam Menard/Keas and her husband Ron, Melvin Menard Jr. and his wife Ruth, Lila Menard/Phillips and her husband Dennis, Michel Menard and his wife Carol, Teresa Menard/Myhre and her husband Gery, Paul Menard and his wife Kathy, Vincent Menard and his wife Cathy, Joe Menard and his wife Tammy, Marie Menard/McIntosh and her husband Rob.  

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you’re loved beyond words, and missed beyond measure. Goodbye is not forever; farewell is not the end. It simply means we’ll miss you until we meet again. Rest In Peace as you take your place in Heaven with our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

We will always carry your memory in our hearts. We Love you Dad!❤️

**Please join us for the Rosary & Requiem Mass**

 Thursday, April 25, 2024 

St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church 

19099 E. Floyd Avenue

Aurora, Colorado 80013

Rosary:  10 a.m.

Requiem Mass:  10:30 a.m.

Burial Service:    1:00 p.m. 

Fort Logan Cemetery

4400 West Kenyon Avenue

Denver, Colorado 80236

*Celebration of Life Reception*

           VFW Post 9644

2680 West Hampden Avenue

Englewood,Colorado 80110

In lieu of flowers please consider honoring Melvin Menard Sr. by donating to FITZSIMONS Veterans Community Living Center.