Thomas Raymond Rivard

Thomas passed away Sunday January 31, 2010 at Brian's House. Age 66. The son of the late Raymond & Victoria (Justa) Rivard, he was born October 22, 1943 in Bay City. Thomas attended Visitation Catholic School and served in the US Army. He retired from GM Grey Iron Castings and was a member of Visitation Catholic Church. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.Thomas is survived by his wife, Dorothy S. (Wcisel) Rivard; daughters, Tashia (Eric) Rivard-Underwood of Atlanta, GA and Renee (Shawn) Kane of Bay City; step-children, Michelle Parkhurst of Blairsville, PA, Laurel (Mario) Gonzales of Bay City and Lynn Pobalis of Modoc, SC; grandchildren, Zephyrence Underwood, Rebecca Pobalis, Melissa Collins, Kara, Jocelyn, Mario 'Rece' Gonzales, Zachary, Gray and Alex Parkhurst; special great-grandchildren, Olivia Kolka-Gonzales, Lauren Collins, Larry Beek, Grant, Faith & Hope Howell and Kahile McMullen; a God-child, Robert McComb; brothers and sisters, James (Mary Ann) Rivard of Sterling Heights, Frank (Faith Ann) Rivard of Coopersville, Donald Rivard of Bay City, Roger (Lynn) Rivard of Essexville, Elaine (Dan) Dell of Bay City and Geralyn (Michael) McComb of Munger; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Besides his parents, Thomas was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert Rivard; four sisters, Gloria Rivard, Barbara Rivard, Lorraine Kolka and Carol Rivard; and a son, Patrick J. Pobalis.The funeral liturgy will take place at 10:00am on Wednesday February 3, 2010 at Visitation Catholic Church. Officiating will be Rev. Fr. George Serour. The Rite of Committal will follow at Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Bay County Veterans Council. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5:00 to 9:00pm with the Vigil for the Deceased at 7:00pm. Mr. Rivard will lie in-state at the church on Wednesday from 9:00am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brian's House or Northwest Little League or you may consider a gift of blood to your local blood bank.