Bertrand Z. Remillard (1920-2000)

The Town of Bellingham and the Bellingham Historical Commission lost a true fan and friend of History with the death of Bertrand Z. Remillard, 80, on November 12, 2000, at Miriam Hospital, Providence, R.I. Bert had a long time interest in history. When he became Town Clerk in 1972 he was able to expand that interest to the preservation of town records. Bert was always willing to discuss and inform on his readings in our history, but it was in the area of record preservation that he did the greatest service to Bellingham.
 

During his terms as Town Clerk, he oversaw the microfilming of records and the start of a program of cleaning and rebinding of the oldest records of the town, most hand written and irreplaceable. The records preserved under his leadership include the Town Meeting Records back to 1720, The Book of Proprietors back to 1714, early land records from similar periods and other documents. He was a contributor to the Historical Commission and its efforts on many occasions.
 

He was married for 53 years to Doris H. (Morrissette) Remillard of Bellingham.
 

He was born Oct.28, 1920, in Woonsocket, R.I., son of the late Wilfred and Leda (Vadenais) Remillard. Mr. Remillard moved to Bellingham in 1925. He attended South Bellingham Grammar School, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1938.
 

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. He served aboard the USS Ommaney Bay in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and was involved in the invasion of five islands and the Second Naval Battle of the Philippines. The carrier was hit by a single Japanese Kamikaze plane on Jan. 4, 1945, in the Sulu Sea while on its way to support troop landings at Lingayen Gulf on the Island of Luzon. It was completely engulfed by fire and later that evening sank.
 

Mr. Remillard was elected to the School Committee in 1946. He was clerk to the Board of Selectmen, 1949 through 1951, 1958, 1961 and 1962. He was elected to a one year term on the Housing Authority in 1948. He served as town treasurer from 1949 through 1954. He was Veterans Agent in 1958, 1972 to 1981 and was health agent 1961 to 1962. He was appointed to an unexpired term of town clerk on July 14, 1972 and served until his retirement March 10, 1986.
 

In retirement he researched, edited and published a book on the Remillard and Vadenais families' genealogy, in two volumes.
 

Besides his wife he is survived by three daughters, Linda A. Perry of Lexington, Ky., Donna N. Yasick and Sandra A. Boulay, both of Bellingham, three grandchildren; two brothers, and four sisters.