"SAY NOT IN GRIEF RICK IS NO MORE, BUT LIVE IN THANKFULNESS THAT HE WAS"

RICHARD (RICK) LESSARD was raised in a small town in the Upper Valley of N.H., son of Norman and Connie Lessard, and brother to Gary. He passed peacefully in May with his family by his side in a wonderful hospice in The Villages, Florida.

Rick lived life to its fullest and enlisted for four years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War years, obtaining his master's degree stateside in Texas. His honorable discharge and education propelled him into the world of Technology with large companies until his retirement to The Villages, Florida. He traveled world-wide in the challenging year of 2000 'The New Age of Technology, the foundational chapter in the Digital Age'; then as a Senior VP with a global company, he and his team attained the prestigious Defined Level of Maturity, first of its kind, SEl Level 3 achievement. Rick finalized his career as a CTO for a large information services company.

As exciting and challenging as his career was, Rick enjoyed family vacations, was an avid golfer, pool player, and a Miami Hurricanes fan. He loved coaching soccer and football with his sons in south Florida. In the final highlight of becoming head coach in his many years in the HOFL, Rick and his assistant coaches brought their proud, young 115 lb. team to win the National Junior Super Bowl Championship.

Rick is survived by his high school sweetheart of 57 years, two sons, and three grandchildren along with other close family members including nieces and nephews (and their grands), along with wonderful, good friends. A family and close friends service will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fl., where he will have the honor of resting with great company and past friends.

To honor Rick's life, the family asks to consider any hospice of your choice that has helped family members to pass in peace as our Rick has done. Otherwise, a veteran's service charity of your choice. "We are thankful that he was."