Picard, Edward Joseph, Jr. 85, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2020 with his loving wife, Mary (Abrahamson) by his side. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Edward J. Picard, Sr. and Mary R. (Fasula) Picard. Besides his wife he leaves his children: Michael, and his wife , Amy of Windermere, FL; David, and his wife, Barbara of Yardley, PA; Jamie, and her husband, Chris of Tampa, FL and Washington, DC; 5 grandchildren: Lauren and Nicolas Picard, Nathan Picard, and Alec and Taylor Coutroulis.
A 1952 graduate of North Providence High School, he received his bachelor’s degree from Bryant College in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army after college. Ed was involved in the petroleum industry his entire life working with the Picard Oil Company, a firm started by his father in 1929, and later as a Teamster delivering products throughout the New England area. He achieved a record of over one million miles of accident and violation-free miles and his accomplishments were recognized by the American Trucking Association where he traveled the East Coast as a member of America’s Road Team addressing many organizations with a message of safety and courtesy on the highway.
He had a passion for auto racing and competed as an amateur driver in sports car events. He worked as a race official with the United States Auto Club and was a member of the Indianapolis 500 Old Timers Club. Ed also enjoyed traveling to races to display his restored 1938 midget racecar.
Ed was active in the Boy Scout Troop #1, North Scituate as a Webelo’s leader and Boy Scout Committee-man. He was an active fundraiser for Special Olympics. In his retirement, he was an avid collector of WWII memorabilia and auto racing history. A voracious reader, he enjoyed sending envelopes stuffed with articles clipped from newspapers and magazines to family and friends.
Ed enjoyed adventure and had participated in sky diving, whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, bob sledding, motorcycle riding, hiking and frequent travels with his wife.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday February 1st at 11AM in St. Philip’s Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Edward Picard to support cancer research and patient care at: PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via Dana-Farber