Arnold Fred Lessard

Arnold Fred Lessard, 94, a resident of Amesbury, died Saturday , February , 17, 2018, at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA. 

Arnold was born on October 9, 1923 in Newburyport, MA to the late Fred and Azilda (Goudreault) Lessard and was a graduate of Newburyport High School. Following his graduation, Arnold started a professional 12 piece band that performed at many dance halls from Newburyport, MA to Hampton Beach, NH.  His love for music and skill at the piano delighted his family and friends throughout the years.

Arnold was the inducted in to the U.S. Army in 1943, serving during WWII. Captain Arnold Lessard served as a navigator and bombardment officer in the Army Aircorps 5th in the Pacific Theater as well as a navigator instructor.  He was based in Japan during the occupation. 

After returning home Arnold completed his undergraduate work at Boston University, completed his Master's Degree at Columbia University and went on the teach high school Language Arts and Social Studies for two years.  Arnold was recalled to serve at the Pentagon during the Korean War as a member of the Executive Development Board of the National Security Agency (NSA) until 1953 when honorably discharged from military service. He continued in his role at the NSA as a civilian until 1955.  Arnold was a featured speaker at several veterans events over the years in the Amesbury-Newburyport area.

He was employed for many years as an International Business Consultant with Booze, Allen and Hamilton holding the position of Vice President where he oversaw business accounts in The Middle East and Africa. At this time living abroad in Europe and the Middle East,  Arnold was instrumental in establishing the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) which established the world's second largest oil provider among numerous other critical projects in the Middle East.

After returning to the United States in the late 1970's Arnold served as a Vice President with Chase Manhattan Bank until 1982. He then went on to work with The United States Agency for International Development  (USAID), a branch of the Federal Government to set up International Foreign investment offices based in The Ivory Coast, Zaire and Uganda until his retirement in 1998  as the Deputy Executive Director when he moved back to his home town of Newburyport, MA.

His work enabled him to travel the world and experience many different cultures, and he called many different countries home during his career. In his spare time Arnold enjoyed playing the piano, art, hosting "Wednesday dinners", model ship building and writing poetry. 

Arnold is survived by his son, Arnaud Lessard of Amesbury, his daughter in law, Allison Lessard of Amesbury  his grandson, Luca Lessard of Amesbury, the mother of his son Francine Delomenie of London, England, his partner Sally Benjamin of Newburyport his sister Dorothy G. Phillips of Newburyport and his sister Helen I. Sullivan of Amesbury as well as several nieces and nephews.  

Family and friends may call on Wednesday , February , 21, 2018, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950. Parking available behind the funeral home. His Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February , 22, 2018 at the Unitarian Universalist Church followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery both in Newburyport.

Please join us for a celebration of Arnold's life at The Mission Oak Restaurant in Newburyport afterwards at approximately 12:30.

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