SALEM - Mr. Eugene R. Lockard, 88, of Salem, beloved husband of Geraldine A. (Sherber) Lockard, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Masconomet Health Care Center in Topsfield, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Salem he was the son of the late Alfred and Augusta (Orser) Lockard. He was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School class of 1948.

An honorably discharged veteran, Eugene proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy for four years during the Korean War. He was stationed in Key West, Florida.

Mr. Lockard began his career at HP Hood, and then at Varian and later was a Water Treatment Operator, for Salem/Beverly Water Supply Board for 23 years until the time of his retirement in 1993.

Following his retirement, he kept busy landscaping and gardening. He had a passion for gardening; Eugene considered a great day, sitting back on his swing, drinking his tea and admiring the flowers that he took great pride in.

Devoted to his family and faith, Eugene was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Spending time with his family was his greatest gift. He enjoyed walking the Common with his beloved Gerry, vacationing at Old Orchard Beach in Maine for the annual vacation with the whole family and the Father's Day trips to Winter Island. He was a life-long member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Salem where he was instrumental in caring for their gardens. He was an avid birdwatcher, and an enthusiastic and steadfast New York Giants fan. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and many friends.

Surviving Eugene in addition to his wife Gerry with whom he shared 63 years of marriage are his children; Brian Lockard and his wife Julie of Danville, NH, Darren Lockard and his partner Christine Hughes of Salem, Andrew Lockard and his wife Doreen of Hamilton and Dinah Lee Lockard and her fiancé Damon Kozlovskis of Boynton Beach FL, his 9 grandchildren; Michael, Dustin, Alex, Shayne, Kristen, Dylan, Emily, Matthew and Maximilian, 2 great-grandchildren; Michael Jr., and Elias, his brother Oakley Lockard and his wife Gloria of Hamilton and several nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Robert Lockard and his fiancée Maryann Gallo and brother of the late Patrick, Harvey, Alfred Jr., Lawrence, Burrill, Ruth Jones, Pauline Zwicker and David.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral service will be held in Grace Episcopal Church, Essex St., Salem on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 11am. Relatives and friends invited. Assisting the family with the arrangements is The O'Donnell Funeral Home, 46 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Eugene's memory to Stroke Research at Mass General Hospital C/O Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com .