Donald T. Charette, Sr. 76 of Beverly, passed away Wednesday morning, August 10, 2016 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, with his family by his side. He was the devoted husband of Joanne F. (Ouellette)
with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Philippe and Alice (Sirois) Charette. He worked as a skilled metal fabricator and a machinist for Aulson Tanning / Speco, Inc. in Beverly , Embossing Machine in Peabody and Autoroll Machine Corporation in Middleton. Following his retirement he worked part time for Metalic Fusion of Danvers as a certified welder until his passing. For many years Don served on the Board of Directors and was a past president of Salem Youth Hockey. He was also a member of the Salem Moose Lodge. For several years after retirement Don and Joanne were residents of Port Charlotte, Florida.
At a young age, Don loved the sea and became an avid boater and eventually a life member of the Palmer Cove Yacht Club of Salem. Following his retirement he spent most of his free time devoted to his passion of model boat building. His boats were displayed at local model boat shows along with the Antique Boat Show in Salem. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather and all around family man. His life was all about family ties and the sea. Don’s devotion for his family is displayed through his wife, children and grandchildren as they continue to flourish from his wisdom, skills and knowledge in their everyday lives
In addition to his wife Joanne, he is survived by four daughters, Donna Lambert and her husband Tiger. Debra Day and her husband Page, Pamela Zwiercan and her husband Richard all of Salem, Jeanne Anderson and her husband Mike of Beverly, a son, Donald T. Charette, Jr. and his wife Denise of Londonderry, NH and two sisters-In-law, Nora Charette and Diane Charette. He also leaves 11 grandchildren, Ashley Lambert Stambler and her husband Matthew, Sarah & T.J. Lambert, Michael & Kelsey Day, Derek & Joshua Zwiercan, Brittany & Ryan Anderson, Matthew & Catie Charette as well as many nieces and nephews and his two pets, Beau and Buddy. He was predeceased by his brothers, Philip, Peter and Richard Charette, and sister-in-law Norma Charette.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass on Monday, August 15, 2016 at 10:00 AM. in the Immaculate Conception Church, 15 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem to be followed by a Celebration of his life at the Palmer Cove Yacht Club, 74 Leavitt St., Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. Funeral arrangements are by the Levesque Funeral Home of Salem. For guestbook please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com