Mark E. Girard, age 72, passed away on March 20, 2025, at Baystate Medical Center.
He was born on May 7, 1952, in Springfield, MA, son of the late Robert and Bernadette (Frament) Girard.
He was graduate of Chicopee High School class of 1970 and STCC class of 1984.
Mark proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a Vietnam Veteran, where he held the title of Certified Navy
Electrician. He an won a national military marksmanship contest, which led to his Navy-issued firearm
being upgraded to a German Mauser. He was recognized as a top marksman aboard the USS Farragut,
where he later took on the crucial role of protecting the admiral and other high-ranking members. Mark
also had the honorable responsibility of delivering sensitive documents to international embassies during
his time in service.
Mark began his passion for mechanics early in life, apprenticing at the age of 14 under the famous
Granville Brothers, who were best known for inventing the iconic Gee Bee Model R aircraft. After his time
in the Navy, Mark dedicated his civilian career to the automotive industry. He began as a certified auto
mechanic and worked in various automotive shops and dealerships as a service manager and head
mechanic. His love for classic cars inspired him to establish his own business, Classic Engineering,
specializing in antique vehicle restoration, with a particular focus on Rolls-Royce models. Later, he
became a private Rolls-Royce mechanic before transitioning to education, where he shared his expertise
as an automotive instructor at Westover Job Corps and Dean Vocational High School in Holyoke until his
retirement.
Beyond his career, Mark had a lifelong passion for automobiles, motorcycles, and music. He played the
valve trombone in his high school band and later joined a rock band in the 1960s and early 1970s. He
also played trumpet, taught himself to play the bellows organ, and had a beautiful singing voice that was
remembered by many.
He was also an avid horseman and a founding member of the Granby Regional Horse Council, which he
co-established alongside his wife, Diane, and close friends. Twenty years ago, Mark and Diane moved to
Southampton to continue nurturing this passion, where they founded Circle Double G Farm—a place that
became a beloved and meaningful part of their lives and those of their family.
Mark is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Diane Godek of Southampton; his daughter, Angelique
Cordeau & Kevin McDowell; his grandson, Donald Cordeau & Nikita Peabody; and his granddaughters,
Casie Keser-Cordeau, Jordan Duffy, and Ashley Rufo & Mike Marchelletta. He also leaves behind his
great-grandson, Landon O’Neill. He is especially missed by his loyal dog, Cinder,
In addition, he is survived by his sister, Catherine Girard, and her husband, Gerard LaFleur; Frament
family members Gene, Ken, Donald, Paul, Patrick, Bill, Claire, Steve (Frament) Amedio, and all of their
spouses and children, along with countless Girard cousins of all ages.
He is also lovingly remembered by many members of the Godek family & friends; his brother-in-law,
David Godek; Mike Zajchowski, Rachel Floyd Fox, Fran & Bob Godek, Mike & Victoria Godek and their
son Luca, Jeff Godek & his fiancée Samantha, Stephanie Godek and Gary, Kim and Kenny and Colt &
Godek, Dave & Joanne (Godek) Marshall, Kristen Marshall Simon, Makayla, Hadley Simon and other
Godek family members. Mark leaves behind Gary Keefe and David Pelczarski among his lifelong friends.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Andrea Cordeau and cousin Frances (Frament) Polito.
Military Honors and Committal Prayers will be held in the Chapel of the Massachusetts Veterans
Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 3 PM. The Grise Funeral Home is
entrusted with arrangements. Immediately after the service there will be a Celebration of Life at Diane
and Mark’s Circle Double Farm in Southampton, MA All are invited
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mark’s honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.
For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com.