Stall Brook Says Farewell to Beloved Custodian

By J.D. O’Gara

Long time and well-loved Stall Brook Elementary School custodian David Picard, a Bellingham native, retired at the end of 2024. On Friday, November 22nd, bubbling over with the enthusiasm only kids under 10 can muster, the entire school celebrated the man who had been there nearly three decades. Older children took turns reading a specially written poem, and second graders treated him to a snack-laden candy poem. Some of the youngest even made special hand-made paper sets of keys thanking him for each of the different ways he took care of the school building. Teachers combined their musical talents in a customized rendition of “So Long, Farewell,” and participants of all ages bid Mr. Picard “adieu” with an endearing goodbye video.

“He’s just the keeper of the building, and he knows all the history,” said Wendy Buratto, Stall Brook secretary. She explains that contractors and general managers who reconfigured the building and office last summer relied on him heavily, because “he knew from the ground up, what had been done to the building and what they needed to do.”

Picard, touched by the outpouring of affection, said, “I always treated this place like my home. People were angry at me sometimes, because I was so picky about what happened in the building, but I’ve been here longer than anyone here.”

When he first came to Stall Brook, a young man, Picard ambitiously took on several projects, planting trees, installing lamps where unattractive telephone poles stood. He took on projects all along, with his latest being a carefully painted revamp of the original, roughly 50-year-old wooden Stall Brook School sign that borders Hartford Ave.

“Mr. Picard took it, and he worked many, many hours on restoring the sign, and it’s gorgeous. It looks brand new,” said Buratto.

As a surprise parting gift, Picard was presented with a metal fabricated sign made for the grassy circle outside the school office, an area in which Picard did all the tree planting and other landscaping. The sign officially named the spot “Picard Park.”

Now that he will have time on his hands, students in grades K-4 had ideas for how he could fill his days. “Go to the beach,” said a couple. “Eat lots of pickles,” said another. Lots more suggestions, such as “Spend more time with your family,” “Go on a bike ride,” “Go to places you’ve never been,” “Star in a play and be a big, bad wolf,” “and “Get more sleep and rest and don’t forget Stallbrook School,” offered an array of pastimes. 

Picard, himself, has his own ideas as well. The self-described tinkerer is eager to work on his collection of vintage electronics, everything from clocks to antique phonographs.

Peter Marano, Superintendent of Bellingham Public Schools, wished him well, noting, “Mr. Picard is phenomenal person -- cares so much about the school. He is Stallbrook. That’s