The following obituary for Village14 regular commenter Girard Plante has just appeared on the Wicked Local (Newton Tab) web site
Girard A. Plante, 63, of Auburndale, went to his eternal home on February 14th, 2023.
Girard was a columnist for the Boston-Post Gazette under his popular column, “Simple Times” for twenty years. He served on the Newton Disability Rights Commission as co-commissioner. Girard received numerous awards, but none matched more than his cause for human rights. Girard was a beloved brother, but most of all, a friend to all who knew him. He was referred to as the “Mayor of Newton” and made sure living conditions at his Norumbega Apartments were in tip-top shape and embraced ADA laws. His quick wit and intellect knew no bounds.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church,1321 Centre Street, Newton Center on February 25th at 10:30 a.m. Donations in his honor may be made to Craig Hospital, 3425 S. Clarkson St., Englewood, CO. 80113. For the online guestbook, please visit: www.BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com
I’m am so sorry to hear this. I am thankful for all his work on the Commission on Disability, it is stronger and more influential for all his years of work.
A loss for Newton. RIP, Girard. I always enjoyed our banter.
Girard was a tireless advocate for people with disabilities including leading the charge on accessibility for the MBTA commuter rail. As the longstanding Co-Chair of the Commission of Disabilities, he oversaw many important changes in the city. He will be missed.
Very sad. Too young. Sounds like was a strong advocate for those with disabilities-something most of us probably overlook or do not focus on. He was an online supporter of mine and will be deeply missed.