Robert Marshall Allard Sr., 77, formerly of Pellegrino Road, Stonington, died Saturday evening at the Hospice of Pasco County, Dade City, Fla., where he had been a resident for the past three weeks.

Born in Putnam, Conn., on Dec. 3, 1922, he was the son of Viola (Pratt) Allard Broccolo of Westerly and the late Robert P. Allard. Raised in Putnam, he attended local schools and was a 1939 graduate of Putnam High School where he was awarded for his perfect attendance record for all 12 years of school.

He later studied education at the former Stoors College before entering the U.S. Army, serving as an aerial gunnery instructor with the 839th Bombardment Squadron and the 487th Bombardment Group. His group was one of the few that left Normandy for South Africa immediately before the invasion of Normandy. S/Sgt Allard received numerous decorations and citations including the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon before receiving his honorable discharge in September 1945.

A longtime resident of Stonington, Mr. Allard was employed for 20 years as a lead receiving inspector at Yardney Electric before his retirement in January 1995.

An avid recreational vehicle camper, he traveled extensively throughout the United States and was a member of the Holiday Rambler RV Club and the Good Sam Club. Mr. Allard retired to Zephyr Hills, Fla., in 1987 and had been a resident of Heritage Retirement Park in Dade City since 1997.

His wife, Maria A. (Tomeo) Allard died in Nov. 1986. Mr. Allard is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert M. Allard Jr. and Marie M. (Mitchell) Allard of Stonington; a daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl A. and George Klein of the Republic of Panama; a sister, Marjorie "Margie" M. Kukla of Jewett City; a brother, David Greene of Norwich; seven grandchildren, Meredith J., Alisa F., Amanda L., and Nicholas J. Allard, Tracy Grimberg, Douglas J. Phillips and Kimberly Phillips; and four great-grandchildren.

A Funeral service will be conducted at THE DINOTO FUNERAL HOME, 17 Pearl Street, Historic Downtown Mystic, on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Stonington. There are no visiting hours.

The Westerly Sun, July 24, 2000

Robert M Allard