Danny Bedard Obituary – Death Notice and Service Information

With his family by his side, Danny Edward Bedard, 64, came to Saint George, Utah, on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, to see his Heavenly Father following health complications.

Danny was born on June 20, 1957 in Brattleboro, Vermont, to George “Ed” and Shirley Bedard. He was the second child with sister Debbie, just 17 months old, and three sisters, Diane, Doreen and Donna, who later followed suit. Ed had retired from the Navy and the family settled in their first home on Pine Street in the same town of Brattleboro.

Despite being a full term baby, Dan weighed barely 5 pounds. His grandmother, Annie Bedard, was an OB nurse and was tube fed each shift to help him reach the weight necessary to be discharged home. He got off to a difficult start when he had to use a dropper every two hours and had to go to Boston Children’s Hospital to resolve his childhood delays with no firm conclusions. Despite all odds, he persisted and attended the Frances Hicks Memorial School for Children with Disabilities and was later accepted into the public school of Brattleboro Union High School.

As a young boy he loved fishing and enjoyed the New England nature and solitude it offered. Cycling not only strengthened his legs, but also gave him the freedom to be on his own outside of his closer circle of family, friends and four sisters!

In the summer of 1971, his mother and siblings were introduced to the Mormon missionaries and a year later were baptized at the Joseph Smith Memorial in Sharon, Vermont. In 1975, his family made the brave decision to sell their home and traveled across country to their new home in Provo, Utah. Dan took the change with ease and helped pitch the tent every night of their trip.

He attended and graduated from Provo High School in 1977 and began working for the local Deseret Industries, where he met his future wife, Amy Brown. After dating 10 months, they were married on December 5, 1986 in Saint George’s Temple and settled near Amy’s family in Cedar City, Utah. He worked as a dishwasher at Market Grill for over 20 years until his illness forced him to retire and later forcibly live in a care facility.

Twice a year, on July 4th and Thanksgiving, Dan and Amy traveled north to Provo to celebrate the holidays with his mother and family. Dan loved strolling the stalls along Provo’s main drag while Amy watched the parade and they later attended the fireworks show at the Stadium of Fire. This was an annual event until walking became difficult for him. At Thanksgiving season, he enjoyed the company of family and traditional food; especially the devilish eggs and the dessert with more whipped cream than cake.

Over the years, despite his challenges, Danny maintained a positive outlook and never saw his situation as more difficult than anyone else’s. He endured it patiently and kept an optimistic spirit until the end. He was always happy to have a visit or a phone call, and never refuse a hug, an ice cream shake, or anything chocolate cake. He valued the simple things in life that gave him joy and longed for nothing other than what was given to him. There is a lesson in life in that.

Danny leaves behind his wife, Amy Bedard from Cedar City, sisters, Debra (Mark) Rogers from Ogden, Utah, Diane (Dave) Anderton from Highland, Utah, Doreen Bedard from Highland, Utah, Donna (Doug) Roe from St. George, Utah and many nieces, nephews and extended family. His parents preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank the Cedar Health and Rehabilitation staff for taking kindly care of Danny over the past 5 years. Special thanks to Alishia Hawk, whose relentless compassion made it possible for Amy’s and Danny’s last moments together to be happy and positive. It was a precious gift.

The funeral will take place on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in the Southern Utah Mortuary, Cedar City. The visit takes place before the service on Saturday from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. The burial will take place in Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of the Southern Utah Mortuary. Online expressions of condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com

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