Christopher Bonard Johnson

Richard — Clara Elizabeth Bonard. Clara (daughter of Pierre Rodolphe Bonard and Sylvia Germaine Lavigne) was born 20 Aug 1946; died 4 Oct 2016, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From the obituary, Providence Journal:
Clara Elizabeth Johnson , 70, of South Kingstown, RI, died on October 4 with her family by her side. Clara led a life of deep awconnection: to her family and friends, to her community, and to her spirituality.

Raised on a farm by her parents, Pierre and Sylvia (Lavigne) Bonard, Clara knew the value of hard work. She excelled in academics, first as salutatorian of the 1964 Class of South Kingstown High School, then going on to receive a BA in English from Gordon College and a MA in English from the University of Rhode Island. Clara put her curiosity and love of learning to work as the owner and operator of Harold's Bookstore (South Kingstown, RI), which was one of the first New Age bookstores in New England. Harold's provided many in the community with a gathering place, center of new thinking, and place of peace. When Clara sold Harold's after 20 years of operation in 1995, she took her love of adventure to her next pursuit as a tour director for Tauck World Discovery. For 15 years she introduced hundreds of travelers to the beauty and history of places including the Southwest, Yellowstone, and Costa Rica. More recently, she devoted her time to local efforts volunteering at Theatre by the Sea, the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, the Community Emergency Response Team, Horses Bring Hope, and the South Kingstown Senior Center. Clara formed authentic relationships with all kinds of people. From lifelong friends to bookstore clients and to fellow travelers, she always took time to get to know others. It is hard to meet anyone who didn't have their own one-of-a-kind story about her. At Clara 's heart was her family. She was a constant source of wonder, exasperation and support for her children, sisters, nieces and nephews. Known as Didi to her grandchildren, she was nothing short of magical, taking them on "midnight" searches for fairies, special Didi vacations, and dispensing her invaluable advice. Clara was guided by her spirituality in all that she did. She journeyed across the world to broaden her mystical understanding. She was known as Alia (Beautiful) within her Sufi community, Wahane to her Native American teachers, and she had a connection to many other faiths. Clara sought to understand the deepest questions in life; and she shared and guided others on their own spiritual paths.

Clara is survived by her daughter Lara ( Johnson ) Montle and son-in-law Michael Montle; son Christopher Johnson ; and daughter Ariana ( Johnson ) McBride and son-in-law Ryan McBride; her four granddaughters Bridget, Maggie, Andrea and Claire; former husband Richard Johnson ; sisters Sylvia (Bonard) Curry and brother-in-law Morton Curry; and Jeannette (Bonard) Denning and brother-in-law Philip Denning; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Notes:

In the 1930 census, Pierre Bonard is age 19, living in Lincoln, RI, with his brother Marcel and wife Theresa.

In 1940, Pierre and Sylvia Bonard are living in Lincoln, RI. He is a driver for a dairy farm; she is a clerk at a department store.

The following information is from the Standard-Times:
As a young man, Pierre worked on his family's farm in Croix, Switzerland. Being adventurous and seeking greater opportunities in farming, he came to America and settled in Saylesville. There he worked on his brother's dairy farm until 1941 when he went to work for the M. S. Danforth Dairy Farm in Exeter as a farm foreman.
In 1943 young Bonard wanted to do something for his new country, so he joined the Navy. And it was while he was in the middle of the invasion of Iwo Jima on 20 February 1945, that he dedicated himself to the service of God. When he returned to the States, he became a Sunday School teacher and Deacon at Wood River Church in Wyoming, RI. In 1960 he was ordained an Elder for the Six Principle Baptist denomination, and in 1958 reopened the old Baptist Meeting House on Stony Lane in North Kingstown, where he served as pastor until his death. An article in the Wickford newspaper, The Standard-Times, on 7 May 1970 told the story of his life and ministry.

Pierre married Sylvia Germaine Lavigne 16 Oct 1936. Sylvia (daughter of Emile Lavigne and Clara Paillot) was born 31 Oct 1910, RI; died 9 Oct 1973. [Group Sheet]

Jean married Clara Mullen 22 May 1899. [Group Sheet]

Emile married Clara Paillot 22 Dec 1894, Warwick, Kent Co., RI. Clara (daughter of Auguste Paillot and Victoire Poncin) was born 6 Aug 1872, Fontenoille, Luxembourg, Belgium; died 10 Oct 1944, Centerville, West Warwicfk, RI; was buried , St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to the 1900 census, Emile immigrated here in 1882. He is a weaver, an alien; the family is living in Warwick.

In 1910, Emile and Clara Lavigne, ages 41 and 37, are living in West Warwick, New London Turnpike. There children are: Germaine 14 and Arthur 12. Emile is a weaver at a cotton mill.

Emile died at age 47y 1m 16d, on Main St. West Warwick.