Dr. George Valois Picard, a Woonsocket dentist, died peacefully at home on December 12, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. He will always be cherished as the wonderful husband, father, grandfather and dentist that he was. He was deeply loved by many and will be greatly missed by his wife Jacqueline (Choquette) Picard of 61 years; his children, Charles Picard and his wife Ania of Glenn Dale, MD; Paulette Watkins and her husband Mark of Louisville, CO; Valerie Livedalen and her husband Gary of Columbia, MO; Sylvia Picard-Schmitt and her husband Jack of New York City; Helene Sanchez and her husband Jose of McAllen, TX; Dr. Joel Picard and his wife Sarah of Cumberland; and Jocelyne Fauerbach and her husband Kurt of Milford, MA. Dr. Picard also had 18 grandchildren: Ian & Kyle Picard, Annie Watkins, Brian & Tim Livedalen, Emily, Patrick, Daniel & Peter Schmitt, Leah, Carla, Nicholas & Laura Sanchez, John, James & Emma Picard, and Andrew & Elise Fauerbach.
Dr. George was born in Woonsocket, RI on May 30, 1927 to Dr. Armand and Georgine (Valois) Picard. He is survived by his sister Constance Benoit of Wakefield, RI and his brother Dr. Jean Picard of North Smithfield. He was predeceased by his sister Yolande St. Germain and his brother Henri Picard of Montreal, Canada.
He was a graduate of Assumption Preparatory School and Assumption College in Worcester, MA. In 1949, he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He remained active as an Assumption and Tufts alumnus.
Dr. Picard served as a captain in the United States Air Force Dental Corps. He was the first Air Force dentist assigned to the Pentagon. Upon completion of his military service, he joined his father, Dr. Armand Picard at 52 Hamlet Avenue, Woonsocket RI, where he practiced for 63 years. Throughout his career, he had the unique opportunity of practicing with his father, his brother and his son.
Dr. George’s life impacted many. It was his great pleasure to volunteer his dental services to the Trappistine nuns at Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey in Wrentham, MA for more than 50 years. He was a man of principal and integrity. His selfless service, care for others, and generosity will live on in the lives of those he touched. Dr. George enjoyed playing bridge and tennis and was a passionate lifelong Red Sox fan. He was a founding member of Club Richelieu. He treasured his time with family and friends at his cottage in Maine.
His funeral will be held Monday December 17th at 9:00 AM from the Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home, 463 South Main St., Woonsocket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph’s Church, 1303 Mendon Rd. in Cumberland. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00-6:00 PM. Burial will be Private. In lieu of flowers, donations to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) New England, 60 Walnut St. Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 in his memory would be appreciated.