Joseph L. “Pete” Charron, 92, of Greenville, passed, Monday, November 13, 2023 at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the beloved husband of the late Rita “Betty” Charron. They were high school sweethearts and married for 60 years.
Born in Providence, Joseph was a son of the late Arthur and Alma (Laflamme) Charron. He lived in Greenville for 53 years, previously in Providence. He graduated from LaSalle Academy. He served as a Corporal in the US Army’s Ammunition Company 571 Ordinance in France during the Korean Conflict.
Growing up, Pete and his sisters worked in their father’s cobbler shop, Charron Shoe Repair, on Mt. Pleasant Ave in Providence. Following his gradation from LaSalle in 1949, Pete learned tool and stencil making at Berkander’s in Providence, leaving there when he was called to serve his country. Upon his return, he became a mold and stencil maker for Brier Manufacturing Co. in Providence’s Jewelry District where he made the molds and cut the stencils for jewelry companies such Avon and Sarah Coventry. Brier’s also produced emblems for car manufacturers in the 1950’s and Pete was proud of the fact that he made the stencil for Ford‘s Mustang “Pony“, commenting when he saw one, “There’s my horse”. Brier’s, like many companies in the district, closed. He then was employed by POLYTOP CORP. in Slatersville as a toolmaker and machinist where they produced plastic spouts and caps for companies such as Clairol and Thermos. He retired from there in 1996.
He was one of the founding fathers of the Smithfield Girl’s Softball League. He and his wife coached for many years, and he served as President in 1975. He enjoyed bowling at Hearthside Bowling Lanes with his wife and neighbors. Since it’s installation, Joseph and his wife faithfully attended Eucharistic Adoration for 18 years on Mondays at St. Phillip’s Church and he was a former member of the Men's Club. He had great patience, could fix anything, liked to make people laugh with a joke or two, was a kind and gentle man, and loved his children and grandchildren dearly.
Besides his wife he is survived by his children, Julie Coccia (the late Robert), Lynn Marquis, Christine Bonvouloir, and Paul Charron and his wife Jodi, his grandchildren: Jessica Salisbury, Rebecca Coccia, Nicole and Todd Bonvouloir, Danielle, Michelle, and Gizelle Charron, and Bethany Leyshon, and great-grandchildren: Kaydia and Robert Leyshon. He was a brother of the late Rev. Leonard and Lucien Charron, Marguerite Marciniak, Cecile Sickinger, Juliette Plante, Blanche Samson, Florence Laflamme (Dionne) and survived by Bernadette Bouley.
His funeral will be held Saturday, November 18th at 8:30 am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 am in St. Phillip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston. Visitation Friday, November 17th, 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.
Hope Health