Obituary of John Thomas Lessard

LESSARD:  Peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, at London Health Sciences Centre – University Hospital, London, on Saturday, December 30, 2023, John Thomas “Tom” Lessard of Crediton, age 86.  Beloved husand of Rita Ann (Foley) Lessard.  Loved father and father-in-law of Thomas and Connie Lessard of London, Glen Lessard of London, Michael and Val Lessard of Oshawa, Bill and Christine Lessard of Mississauga and Casey Lessard and Angela Michielsen of Iqaluit.  Cherished grandpa of Christopher, the late Nicholas, Katie, Quinn, Abigail, Jessica, Ryan, Brittany, Will, Jonah, Iris, Hugo and Cosmo.  Treasured great-grandpa of Aubrey.  Dear brother and brother-in-law of Margaret Tully of Uxbridge, Nancy Zettel of Kitchener, Kathleen “Kay” Foley of Montreal, Tom and Maisey Foley of Mississauga, Richard Foley of London.  Tom will be remembered by his nieces, nephews and their families.  Predeceased by his parents William Warren and Viola (Malone) Lessard, siblings and -in-laws Bill and Shirley Lessard, Jim and Shirley Lessard, Bob and Millie Lessard, Gary Lessard, Patricia “Pat” and Ron Gray, Sam Tully, George Zettel, Joan McCullough, Carol and Doug Ricci and Robert Peter Foley.  At Tom’s request, cremation has taken place.  Visitation will be held at the T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood, on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m.  The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Mount Carmel on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Fr. Vince Gulikers Celebrant.  Interment Exeter Cemetery at a later date.  Tom served with the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps from 1953 to 1955 and then joined the Royal Canadian Regiment from 1955 and retired in 1971.  If desired, memorial donations (payable directly) to the Huron County Food Bank (by monetary donation or food donation) or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.