Darrell Brian Beard, born on January 21, 1940, went to be with the Lord peacefully at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital on May 4, 2024, at the age of 84.

Darrell was the devoted husband of Rachel (Mazzola) Beard for 55 loving years, enjoying their life together to the fullest.

He was the beloved son of the late Bernie and Cynthia (Spears) Beard and brother of the late John Devon Beard and his wife Elfriede and late sister Sharon Dunton; brother-in-law to the late Charles P. Mazzola and his wife Joanne, and Ronald Mazzola and his wife Susan; and uncle to Steve Beard, Martin Beard and his wife Stephanie, Karen Beard and her husband Robert Thompson, Joy (Mazzola) Reichart and her husband Andrew, Dana (Mazzola) Majot and her husband Steve, Allani Mazzola, and Lyndsay Mazzola.

Darrell was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Lucedale, Mississippi. His strong work ethic was evident from boyhood. Early on, he worked at the Scott Paper Company in Mobile, Alabama. In 1969 he moved to Massachusetts where he worked with the MBTA as a Stockman in the Materials Department for 31 years until retirement.

As a couple, Darrell enjoyed extensive travel in the USA and abroad and was a friend of the Boston Pops. From his youth as a Lucedale high school football player, he was an ardent sports fan and could be found on the golf course rain or shine! He loved his country and was proud to have served in the US Army during the Bay of Pigs incident under President Kennedy.

Darrell is remembered as a gentle and caring gentleman of profound faith and generosity, who sincerely loved his many friends and family. Going forward, his impact on the hearts he touched will endure.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Gately Funeral Home, 70 W. Foster Street, Melrose from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. A funeral service will begin at the funeral home at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place following the funeral service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Family and friends are respectively invited to attend.

To honor Darrell's memory, in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in his name to Park Street Church, 1 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108 or online at: parkstreet.org/give.