James A. “Jim” Girard, 55, of Dusseldorf, Germany, formerly of Winchester, passed away in Germany on November 18, 2014, after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Ulla Hillebrand.
Born in New Rochelle, NY, Mr. Girard was raised and educated in Winchester, and was the son of Nancysue (Carroll) Girard and the late Normand Girard of Winchester. He graduated from Winchester High School with the class of 1977 and from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Mr. Girard worked at advertising companies and in the computer field in Boston for many years. It was there that he met his future wife, Ulla, who was working for an American-based affiliate of her German employer. Most recently, in Dusseldorf, Jim was a freelance editor/proofreader and interpreter of international documents.
In his spare time, Jim was an avid reader and conversationalist, and could be found hiking and biking with Ulla. He also enjoyed playing guitar, sailing, golfing, photography and spending time with his family. He was an ardent fan of Boston Sports, especially the Red Sox and the Patriots.
Jim had a great command of the English language, and used this gift to write poems and songs.
A loving and caring individual, Jim leaves many friends and will be remembered for his hearty laugh and missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his wife and mother, Jim is survived by his siblings; Tom Girard and his wife Judy of Tivoli, NY, Susie Condon and her husband Brian, of Hampstead, NH and Dr. Katie Fortin and her husband Patrick of Winchester. He was also the devoted uncle of Kristen and Danielle Girard, Sarah and Emily Condon, Patrick, Molly, Maggie and Brian Fortin. Services and burial were held in Dusseldorf and a Celebration of Life is being planned locally for the Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, 72 River Park St. – Suite 202, Needham, MA 02494, or to the Winchester Hospital Foundation 611 Main St. Winchester, MA 01890.