SPRINGFIELD – Victor J. Rivard, 91, of Springfield, passed peacefully into the Heart of God on Thursday, September 13, 2012, surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on March 19, 1921, a beloved son of the late Antonio and Augusta (Bourque) Rivard. He was raised in Springfield, attended Cathedral High School and the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada and was a lifelong resident of Springfield. He was employed at the Springfield Armory before enlisting in the United States Navy during World War II. He attained the rank of Specialist Physical Training Instructor First Class and received the American Theater Medal and the World War II Victory Medal for his service. Following the war, he attended the Springfield Firefighters Academy and served the City of Springfield in a distinguished 30-year career as a firefighter at the North Main Street Fire Station. Big Vic was a powerful man who worked fearlessly in one of the toughest fire districts in the city and fought some of the city’s most difficult fires, including the Colony Club fire. He was highly respected by his superiors and peers and was elected president of the Firefighters’ Privates Club for several terms. In that role, he helped coordinate for many years the annual firefighters’ picnic, ball and family Christmas party. He also worked locally and statewide to improve compensation and benefits for active and retired firefighters. Victor was also an accomplished carpenter who helped build many homes in Springfield and the surrounding area. Victor was a Catholic man of great faith and was a communicant of the former Saint Mary Church, now Mary, Mother of Hope Church, in East Springfield. He was a senior altar server for many years and also served on many church committees. After his firefighting career, he worked as head of maintenance for the parish. He served as the Men’s Retreat Promotion Chairman to Firefighters and Saint Mary Parish for the Passionist Retreat Centers in West Springfield, Shrewsbury, MA and West Hartford, CT. He gave generously of his time and labor to his parish, neighbors and many civic causes. Victor found great joy in the accomplishments and education of his children, grandchildren and delightful great-grandchildren. Having been an outstanding athlete, he loved to follow many sports. He is survived by his best friend and true love, his beloved wife, Theresa (Antaya) Rivard. They were married at the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield on January 10, 1942 and were blessed with over 70 years of happiness together. He also leaves: his three loving sons, Donald V. Rivard of Waltham, MA, Ernest R. Rivard and his wife, Natalie, of Shrewsbury, MA, and David C. Rivard and his wife, Kristin, of Cumberland, RI; his son in law, Gerard L. Federici of Ringwood, NJ; his nine cherished grandchildren, Mark Federici, Leonard Federici, Maria (Federici) Patania and her husband, Lance, all of New Jersey, Lisa Rivard of Waltham, Noel Rivard of Philadelphia, PA, Gregory Rivard of Shrewsbury, Matthew Rivard of Agawam, and Stephanie Rivard and Derek Rivard, both of Rhode Island; his four cherished great grandchildren, Kristen and Nicholas Federici, and Dominic and Angelina Patania; and his many dear nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by: his loving daughter, Cecile Federici, who was Called Home on February 25, 2007; his dear brothers, Urgel and Anatole Rivard; and his dear sister, Gloria. His funeral will be held on Tuesday morning, September 18, 2012, beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. His Committal Service with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, September 17, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please, in lieu of flowers, his family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Harford, CT 06107.