Laurier "Larry" W. Ricard

LAURIER W. "Larry" RICARD Laurier W. "Larry" Ricard, 87, died at his Chinook, Washington residence on October 3, 2011 in the presence of his family. Born of French-Canadian ancestry on March 17, 1924 in Mearns, Alberta, Canada, Larry was the last surviving child born to Joseph and Rosanna (Houle) Ricard. Larry grew up on the family wheat farm in Mearns where he received his education. On November 12, 1945 he married Lucille Montpellier in Morinville, Alberta. Four years later the family moved to Yakima, Washington. There Larry worked as an auto mechanic for Wagner Chevrolet for a number of years. He then became owner/operator of a Texaco service station in Yakima. In 1970 Larry followed his dream of becoming a commercial fisherman when he moved to Chinook. He fished out of the Port of Chinook for some years before purchasing the Chinook Tavern, also known as The Fish Trap. After the business was sold Larry bartended at the Chinook Inn until he retired. During his years on the Peninsula Larry was active as a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview. For years during summer months he opened and closed St. Mary's Church at McGowan for Sunday evening mass. After moving to Chinook Larry assisted Trophy Hughes in the operation and maintenance of Chinook Cable television. Over the years Larry was a man of many interests and talents. He owned and piloted his own airplane as well as a gyrocopter and was a long time volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol in Yakima. He was a 30 plus year league bowler, avid fisherman, quite the pool shark and tournament sponsor, and was blessed with natural mechanical ability. In 2008 he and his daughters and son-in-laws enjoyed a Caribbean cruise aboard what was then the world's largest cruise liner, a trip Larry enjoyed immensely. Larry was an honest, loyal, generous and non-judgmental person who never hesitated to help another and a friend to many a fellow man. Larry is survived by daughters Paulette Parks of Olympia, WA, Sharon Lewis of the Big Island, Hawaii, and Laurie Polster of Spokane; 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Lucille and his 10 siblings. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 8, 2011, 1:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Seaview with a reception following in the church social hall. The casket will be open at the church prior to the mass. A celebration of Larry's life and spaghetti potluck, to which all are welcome, will be held at 3 PM that afternoon at the Chinook Inn in the restaurant section. Memorials may be made to Harbors Home Hospice, 201 7th Street, Hoquiam, WA 98550. His guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.