FALL RIVER… Charles J. “Charlie” Lussier, 94, of Fall River, passed away Friday, June 13, 2014 at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehab. – Highlander.
He was the husband of Rita C. (Mercier) Lussier of Fall River and widower of the late Gertrude (Dumais) Lussier.
Born in Fall River, he was a son of the late Gaudice and Mathilda (Labonte) Lussier and had been a life-long resident of the Fall River/Westport area.
Charles served in WW II with the 83rd Infantry 331st Infantry Regiment, Anti-Tank Company. He and his company saw action in the invasion of Normandy (Omaha Beach), Brittany, Rhineland, Central Europe and the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge). For his service to our country, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star for Heroism, Army Good Conduct Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal and WW II Victory Medal. He also was awarded the following Commemorative Medals, D-Day Invasion Medal and Battle of the Bulge Medal. He was a member and Past President of the Boston Chapter of the 83rd Infantry Division, as well as Board & Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee of the same Chapter. He was also a member of the Disabled Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 486 and of James Morris Post 145 Westport of the American Legion.
A 1939 graduate of Msgr. Prevost High School, Fall River, he was a communicant of St. Bernadette’s Parish, Fall River and worked as a butcher for 35 years at the former First National Store in Somerville, MA, retiring in 1980, and for the Boyko Memorial Funeral Home and former L.O. Paradise Funeral Home, both of Fall River, following his retirement. He enjoyed traveling, playing cards, and spending time with his family and friends.
Along with his wife, survivors include his daughter; Janet Rego and her husband Lino of Westport, 2 brothers; Fr. Lucien Lussier of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada and Andre Lussier of Middletown, RI, 3 grandchildren; Tara Powell, Adam Conner and Joshua Rego, many nieces and nephews. He had 9 brothers and 3 sisters who predeceased him.
Funeral with military honors to which relatives and friends will be held Wednesday at 8 AM from the SOUTH COAST FUNERAL HOME, 1555 Pleasant St. Fall River, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 AM at St. Bernadette’s Parish, 529 Eastern Ave. Fall River. Interment will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 5 – 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Lussier’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, P.O. Box 1950 Clarksburg, MD 20871.