Normand O. Chartier, 92, of New Bedford died January 5, 2015 at St. Luke's Hospital after a period of declining health.
He was the husband of Marcelle R. (Audette) Chartier.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Ovide and Stella (Rousseau) Chartier, he lived in New Bedford most of his life.
He was an active communicant and volunteer of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and the former Sacred Heart Parish. He served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of St. Vincent dePaul Society. Mr. Chartier was awarded the Top Hat Award from the St. Vincent dePaul Society and was a recipient of the Marian Medal for his many years of service to his church. He was a 4th degree knight and 25 year member of Knights of Columbus McMahon Council. He was involved in the Cursillo and Emmaus movement.
Mr. Chartier was formerly employed by Acushnet Company for 50 years until his retirement. In retirement, he worked at Cathedral Camp. He enjoyed camping, the outdoors, motorcycles and his jeeps.
He served as a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served with the 4th Infantry Division where he cared for the wounded of Exercise Tiger and later was assigned with the elite Night Raider platoon of the 2nd Battalion. Mr. Chartier was a recipient of European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign ribbon with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Presidential Unit Citation Award and the Belgian Fourragere. He was the Honorary Grand Marshall of the New Bedford 2014 Veterans Parade. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Fairhaven Post 2892 and Pvt. A. Poirier Post 3260. He served as a docent at the Fort Taber - Fort Rodman Military Museum,
Mr. Chartier was a 50 year Boy Scout with Troop 5 of Sacred Heart Church and received the Silver Beaver Award in 1991 and the St. George Award from Bishop Cronin in 1980.
He was a member of the former John Alden Ambulance Corps.
Mr. Chartier was recognized as Franco-American of the Year by the League of Franco-Americans.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Roger Chartier and his wife Hui-Ling Chen of New Bedford; 2 daughters, Paulette Chartier and her husband James Donnelly of Dartmouth and Melanie Chartier and her husband Scott DeHainaut of East Sandwich; a sister, Stella Engman of Michigan; 3 grandchildren, Alex Donnelly, Ben Donnelly and Emily DeHainaut; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Roland Chartier.
His Funeral will be held on Friday at 11 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 12 Noon. Burial with follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Fort Taber - Fort Rodman Military Museum, 1000C South Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02744. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.