Bertrand Paul Chouinard of Chilmark died on March 6. He was 79.

He was born May 28, 1943 to Sam and Corinne Chouinard. He and his brother Roger grew up in Lewiston, Me. amidst a large, extended French Canadian family. After graduating Lewiston High School in 1961, he joined the U.S. Army as an enlisted man and began a lifelong journey around the world and back again.

On a snowy Christmas Eve early in his first of many overseas assignments at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, West Germany, he happened upon Renate, the young woman who would become his loving wife and the mother of his four children.

It was Bert’s intent and his joy to show his family the world. They travelled as a family to every duty station to which he was assigned, from Paris to Brussels, Germany, Thailand, Ethiopia and several postings across the U.S.

Bert is survived by Renate, his wife and love of 58 years; their children Maria, Chris, Danny and Kenny; grandchildren Melanie, DJ, Tabitha, Julia and Cameron; eight great-grandchildren; sister in law Lorraine; nieces Diane, Debbie and Denise; nephew Roger; and many cousins.

He retired from the U.S. Army as a master sergeant and will be interred among his fellow soldiers at the National Cemetery in Bourne. The ceremony will be private for family and he will be given the full military honors befitting this proud old soldier and hero.

Memorial contributions can be made to Wounded Warriors or your local hospice in his memory.

For online condolences and more information please visit chapmanfuneral.com.