Alexander Theodore Picard

PICARD, Alexander Theodore “Al”; of Washington, D.C. passed away December 4, 2022, on his 97th birthday. He was born in New Bedford, MA during the Great Depression on December 4, 1925, to the late Arthur and Rose Picard and was the fourth of thirteen children.

Al joined the U.S. Navy in July 1943. During his twenty-two years of service, he served in the Pacific and in April 1945, participated in the invasion of Okinawa. Additionally, he served on one battleship, two destroyers, two naval aircraft squadrons, three aircraft carriers, one repair ship and three 3-year tours on the staff with COMNAVAIRLANT.

While in the Navy, Al met Pauline (Polly) Belanger at his brother’s (Lucien Picard) wedding shower in 1951.  They courted for a while, sometimes supervised by his sister Lee (Polly’s best friend). They were married in May 1953 and settled down in Virginia Beach, VA. Polly was not only Al’s best friend but was also an outstanding Navy wife during their military service, and a wonderful mother. After retiring from the Navy in April 1965, Al was employed by Borden, Inc. as an office manager and accountant; then Norfolk Family Services as their finance manager; and finally for Southeast Metal Deck, Inc. as their controller. Al was a past president of the National Association of Accountants (Hampton Road branch) and past treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Council 3548 (Norfolk, VA)

After his second retirement in 1987, Al and Polly purchased a twenty-eight-foot travel trailer, which they used extensively traveling up and down the East coast. They ultimately relocated in Fort Myers Beach, Florida in 1989, where they were followed by other family members and friends. After Polly died in August 1999, Al remained at their residence until April 2005 when he relocated to Washington, D.C. as a resident at the Armed Forces Retirement Home until his death.

Al was proceeded in death by his parents and Polly, his beloved wife of sixty-eight years. He is survived by his four children, Jerry Picard and his wife, Yvonne, of Hamilton, VA, Carol Wilson and her husband, Jack, of Duluth, GA, Robert Picard of Philadelphia, PA, and John Picard and his fiancée, Christine, of Fredericksburg, VA; his grandchildren Erik Jewell, Christina Beckford, Sallie Jones, Jonathan Picard, Leah Laband, and Timothy Wilson; and 8 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother, Lucien Picard of Cherry Hill, NJ, and two sisters, Lucille St. Onge of Fairhaven, MA, and Claire Lagesse of Sebring, FL.

The family will receive family and friends for a time of visitation from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at Everly-Wheatley Funerals & Cremation, 1500 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, December 12, 2022, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1427 W Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302.

His remains will be interred at the Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.  A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in New Bedford, MA at a future date followed by a reception at Century House in Acushnet, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations in his memory be sent to either the St. Francis De Sales Building Funds, 37730 St. Francis Court, Purcellville, VA 20132; American Red Cross; or one of your favorite charities.

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