SIDNEY -- Donald J. Charette, 80, died unexpectedly at home, with his beloved wife Marie by his side, on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. He was born in Fort Kent on Dec. 14, 1931, a son of the late Albenie and Leontine (Deschenes) Charette.Anyone who knew Don knows he loved a good joke and could play a mean harmonica.
Don worked as a carpenter for the carpenters and millwrights union for many years. He was also a lumberjack in his youth and loved to work in the woods, cutting his own firewood up until just a few years ago. As a young man, he was employed by Hazzard Shoe in Augusta. He moved to Connecticut in 1952, worked for Carlson & Torrell Contractors and, in 1963, joined the carpenters and millwrights union Local 320. Since moving to Sidney in 1969, he has been a member of Local 1997. He was a proud union man.
He was a member of the Le Club Calumet and the Augusta Eagles Club, Aerie 3137.
Don was predeceased by a daughter, Lynne Charette, and two sisters, Doris Beaulieu and Rita Charette.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marie M. (Lebeau) Charette, of Sidney; a son, Jeffrey Charette and his wife, Tasha, of Winslow; three daughters, Donna Charette of Fairfield, Nancy Charette of Winslow, and Brenda Reynolds and her husband, Ray (special son-in-law), of Winslow; a brother, Richard Charette, of New Britain, Conn.; three sisters, Bernice Manganello, of New Britain, Conn., Bertha Roy, of Augusta, and Eva Dauphin, of Somers, Conn.; six grandchildren, Melissa, Justin, Marissa, Michael, Amanda and Laura; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Don was especially fond of John Reynolds, of Fairfield, Sean Eori, of Albion, and drinking coffee and eating hot dogs with "the gang" at Don's Famous Franks on Mount Vernon Ave. in Augusta.
At his request, there will be no public visiting hours. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held on Friday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will follow in Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Road, Augusta.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Officer Day with the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office, the ambulance staff, the staff at Dr. Cheleuitte's office, and especially to Dr. Cheleuitte and Heidi for their kindness and compassion. We are also grateful to the staff at Plummer Funeral Home for the wonderful care they have shown to Don and the family.
Condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.
