J. Edward “Red” Woodard 83, died Saturday January 5th in the Brockton Hospital after a period of failing health. He was the husband for 54 years of the late Betty (Hogg) Woodard.
Born February 6, 1924 in Sanford, Maine he was the son of the late Horace and Louise (Bryant) Woodard. He moved to East Bridgewater in 1934, and later met his wife Betty while working as a milkman for Peaceful Meadows.
He attended Stockbridge School of Agriculture and farming became his life, starting out as a milkman and eventually owning his own dairy farm “Peaceful Valley” in East Bridgewater. In 1983 a barn fire killed his live stock and he retired from dairy farming, and began sod farming with his son at Woodard Sod Farm. He remained an advocate of “Open Space”.
Edward enjoyed life and everything it had to offer, including square dancing, round dancing, woodworking, and dabbling in the stock market.
He never lost his love of the outdoors; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, and gardening. He loved reading as well.
He loved to travel and had accomplished a visit to all 50 states and every province in Canada as well. He most enjoyed his family and had a great personality.
He was a member of the Congregational Church of Whitman.
He is survived by his children, Cameron Woodard of East Bridgewater, Jerilyn Wassmouth and her husband Kenneth of Hanson, his brothers Norman Woodard of Indiana, Dan Woodard of Vermont, and Don Woodard of Pembroke, his sisters Sarah Winchester of New Hampshire, Bessie Tirrell of Harwich, and Nancy Bacon of Vermont, his grandchildren Zachery E. Wassmouth of Hanson, and Jason Wassmouth and his wife Carole of Pembroke, and his great grandchildren Brittany and Evan Wassmouth. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Mary Woodbridge.
His funeral will be held Wednesday January 9th at 10 AM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St. (Rte 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday January 8th from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Donations may be made in his name to the Salvation Army, Box 4047, Brockton, MA 02303