The 59-year-old man who died in a car crash that involved another person charged with drinking while driving in Chicopee last Friday was cherished by his family, friends and coworkers.
James Robert Menard, 59, of Chicopee, was gravely injured in a crash at 11:25 p.m. on July 25, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office stated. Menard was brought to the hospital and died the next day.
“He will be greatly missed,” his loved ones wrote in his obituary. Menard was born in Holyoke, and went on to live in Chicopee and work in Connecticut.
Menard was a devoted 37-year employee of Rockbestos-Suprenant Cable (RSCC) in East Granby, his loved ones said.
“He played in numerous pool leagues and enjoyed spending time with family and friends in his off time,” his obituary read. The Chicopee man left behind countless family and friends in his hometown.
Messages left on Menard’s online obituary recalled him fondly “through elementary and high school.”
A person who identified themselves as a coworker commented he “worked hard” and “many hours a week,” and had a “hearty laugh.” They also remembered his funny sense of humor, which they said his coworkers enjoyed.
Menard’s funeral and burial services were held on Saturday at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels and at Saint Anne Church, respectively.
Instead of flowers, his family requested for memorial donations made in his memory to the Chicopee Sportsmen’s Club, P.O. Box 332, Chicopee, MA 01021. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
Andrew Wilkins, the driver of the second car involved in the crash that resulted in Menard’s death, was arrested at the scene and faced a slew of charges. These included operation while under the influence of alcohol causing serious injury and leaving the scene.
He was arraigned on July 26 on $7,500 bail on the condition he wear an alcohol monitor if released, the district attorney said. He is set to appear in court on Sept. 12.
