Tom Allard remembered as ‘Champion of the Community’
Tom Allard at a ceremony in March recognizing him as a Champion of the Community by the California Park and Recreation Society. Photo courtesy of Mike Allard On April 30, Tom Allard, a member of the city of Manhattan Beach’s Parks and Recreation Commission and 45-year-resident of the city, passed away at the age of 70. Allard died of acute respiratory distress syndrome, according to his wife Sue Allard. The City Council adjourned its May 3 meeting in his memory. “He was one of those guys who was bigger than life,” said his wife. “He touched a lot of people in this community.” After retiring from owning his used bookstore, Eclectic Collector, in Hermosa Beach almost a decade ago, he devoted himself to getting seniors involved with recreational activities, including ping pong, horseshoes and petanque. “Tom was a champion of our city’s older adults program and spent countless hours volunteering his time for older adults’ events, recreation activities and programs,” said Councilmember Wayne Powell, who nominated Allard for the Parks and Recreation Commission. Allard was also an advocate for building a skate park, which the city council recently approved after years of delays. “One…
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