John Huard was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Helen Huard, whom he met in middle school.
Huard, who guided the Acadia Axemen to two Vanier Cup titles and later served as head coach of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, passed away on January 29, 2025, at the age of 80.
Highlights
- Late football player and coach John Huard sadly passed away on January 29, 2025, due to an undisclosed reason.
- Huard was married to Helen Huard, with whom she had three children.
- John Huard’s daughter, Kristi Huard, is married to Craig Norcross. They have one daughter, Kory Faletra.
The Argos confirmed Huard’s passing Thursday, but the cause of death has not been mentioned. In a statement, the club said,
“The Toronto Argonauts send its deepest condolences to the family and friends of John Huard,”
The Toronto Argonauts
Huard, a native of Waterville, Maine, played linebacker at the University of Maine before being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 1967 NFL draft, No. 113 overall.
During his collegiate career, he was a two-time first-team all-America (1965, 1966). He had 22 tackles in his first game for Maine in 1964 and was key in leading the school to the ’65 Tangerine Bowl.
He started his coaching career at Maine in 1974 as an offensive line coach and served as head coach at Acadia, leading the Axemen to Vanier Cup titles in ’79 and 1981.
Huard also served as special-teams co-ordinator of the USFL’s Chicago Blitz and Toronto’s head coach in 2000 but resigned after posting a 1-6-1 record.
He was elected to the U.S. College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
John Huard And Helen Huard Spent Married Life For Over Six Decades
Late American football player and coach John Huard and Helen Huard met in middle school and tied the knot in 1966 after dating for several years.
Sadly, their married life ended after 59 years following the death of Helen’s husband, John Huard.
Helen Huard has played a significant role in supporting and shaping the lives of athletes around her.
In recognition of both John and Helen’s impact, former players of Acadia University established the John and Helen Huard Football Awards.
That initiative honored John’s football legacy and acknowledged Helen’s role in shaping the lives of Acadia’s athletes.
John Huard And Helen Huard Were Blessed With Three Children
Helen and John had three children: Kimberly, Johnny, and Kristi Huard.
John’s daughter, Kristi Huard, owns Krist’s Cafe and studied at the University of Southern Maine. She is also an Associate Broker at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.
She is married to Craig Norcross, with whom she shares one daughter named Kory Faletra.
Kori completed her graduation from Edward Little High School in 2014. She lives in Auburn, Maine, with her husband, Chuck Faletra, and two children.
John’s son, John Huard Jr, is married to Sarah Huard, a former real estate sales agent at Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty.
She is a co-chair of the Barrington Business & Community Association. John and Sarah have two sons who play hockey on the Governor’s Boys Varsity Hockey team.
Recently, Sarah paid tribute to her father-in-law, John Huard, through her Facebook handle. She wrote,
It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my amazing father-in-law, John Huard Sr. A man as strong in stature as he was in character and integrity. A man who commanded respect both on the football field and off. An incredibly strong talented football player, John played at Kent’s Hill , U Maine Orono which earned him an induction into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame and then was a force to be reckoned with in the NFL playing for the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos. John fueled his passion for football into the coaching arena at Acadia Univerosty in Nova Scotia where he led two national championship teams. He then coached at Maine Maritime Academy and then with the Toronto Argonauts. John was a tenacious football player and a highly disciplined and demanding coach. His players and all those touched by John felt a deep, heartfelt love and loyalty to a man who commanded respect . Beyond all the accolades and accomplishments on the field his greatest love was that for his beloved wife Helen, his children John Jr, Kristi and Kim and his 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. We love you “Big John” with all our hearts. Rest easy in Heaven …you sure earned it.
Sarah Huard
John and Helen’s second daughter, Kimberly, lives in South Portland, Maine, with her husband, Harlan Michaud, who studied Marine Engineering at Maine Maritime Academy.
According to the source, John and Helen had eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Additional Information
- Huard served as the CEO of Northeast Turf in South Portland, Maine, and the northeast representative of FieldTurf. He donated turf to Acadia University’s Raymond Field and the University of Maine’s Mahaney Dome.
- In 2003, John was the first layer inducted into the “Ring of Honor” at Alfond Stadium.
- John grew up along with his brothers Richard and Ray Huard.
