The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.
Raymond "Ray" F. Charrette was a kind and gentle soul with a jolly grin and mischievous twinkles in his eyes. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend.
Mr. Charrette died on Sunday, Nov. 14, at Parkland Medical Center, surrounded by his daughters. He was 82.
Mr. Charrette, son of the late Joachin and Anais (Cote) Charrette, attended St. Louis High school in Biddeford, Maine, where he completed an apprenticeship at the Saco-Lowell Shop. He began his professional career as a tool and die maker at Raytheon before moving on to Northeastern Tool and finally retiring from Sweetheart Plastics. Outside of his career, Ray enjoyed many hobbies: candle-making, camping, gardening, and antiquing, but his greatest joy was being surrounded by his family members, who called him Pepere.
He was the beloved husband of Rita M. (Robitaille) Charrette, who died in 2008. They were married for 62 years, and he was her knight in shining armor.
He is survived by his four children, Linda Licciardi and her husband Michael of Londonderry, NH, Donald Charrette of Meredith, NH, Carol Varnum and her husband Robert of Unity, NH, and Alan Charrette and his companion Kristal Joaquin of Antrim, NH; a brother, Richard Charrette of Sanford, Maine; and three sisters, Theresa Brochu and her husband Joseph of Biddeford, Maine, Anita Thibodeau of Enfield, Conn., and Fernande Wimble and her husband Richard, also of Enfield; nine grandchildren, Sheila, Derek, Jaime Lyn, Robbie, Tara, Jonathan, Melanie, Anthony, and Adam; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings Roger, Roland, Conrad, Jeannine, and Gertrude.
Calling hours will be on Friday November 19, 2010 from 5 to 8 pm at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services will be on Saturday November 20 at 10:00am at the funeral home. Burial will be in St Mary Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Raymond's name may be made to Salemhaven Activity Fund, 23 Geremonty Dr., Salem, NH 03079.