Andrew D. BEDARD

MISSOULA - Pfc. Andrew D. Bedard died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005, as the result of injuries sustained while on active duty in Iraq.Andrew was born in Missoula on May 21, 1986, the only child of Michelle and Dennis Bedard. He attended Franklin, Mount Jumbo and Prescott elementary schools, Rattlesnake Middle School and Hellgate High School, where he was a 2004 honor roll graduate.He competed for the Hellgate Knights in cross country for three years. Andrew enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps before his senior year. He went through basic training at the Marine Corps recruiting depot in San Diego, Calif., and was stationed at 29 Palms, Calif., prior to being deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, in September 2005.Andrew was mature beyond his years, polite and kind to everyone. He was a devoted friend to so many, always cared more about others than himself, never liked much attention lavished upon him, was a model student and a son any mother and father would be proud to call their own. He loved to travel the United States and Europe with a spirit of adventure learned with his mother.His hobbies included playing golf with his dad, running, weightlifting, skiing, poker and spending as much time as possible with a large circle of friends, for whom he lived the Marine Corps motto, "Semper Fidelus," always faithful. His dog, Boingo, was another favorite companion that Andrew loved and cared for deeply.Survivors include his mother, Michelle Bedard, of Missoula; his father, Dennis Bedard, of Corvallis; his maternal grandmother Janice Krone of Brooklyn Center, Minn., seven uncles; and 11 cousins.Services will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Arrangements, date and time will be announced as soon as Andrew is home in the loving arms of his family.God, please hold our son close to you and let us forever hear his heart beat.