LEWISTON – Ernest Louis Charest, 84, of Lewiston, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving family by his side on Sunday, Sept. 10.
He was born in St. Pascal de Kamouraska, Quebec, Canada, on Nov. 3, 1921, the son of Thomas and Amanda Charest. He moved to Lewiston with his family in 1925, where he attended Holy Family School. He was married July 2, 1949, to Fernande Carmen Lauze at St. Mary’s Church in Lewiston.
Like many men of “the greatest generation,” he served as a wonderful example of hard work and self-sacrifice. He worked at the Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding shipyard, building Liberty Ships in South Portland before entering the U.S. Navy in 1943.
He served during World War II in the South Pacific aboard the USS Dionysus AR-21 until his discharge in May 1946, at the rank of chief petty officer. He was employed for 35 years at Bates Mill repairing machinery until his retirement at age 62. After retiring, he helped his children build and remodel their homes. He was a gifted carpenter and someone who could build or repair anything. He was also a tremendous cook whose meals were in demand for many family gatherings.
He was an avid gardener who kept his family supplied with fresh vegetables throughout the years. His many interests included deer hunting, woodworking and watching his beloved Boston Bruins and Red Sox. His latest passion was attending the Lewiston Maineiacs hockey games with his brothers Marcel, Gerard and Fernand.
Besides his wife of 56 years, Fernande of Lewiston, he leaves a daughter, Rena Dunn and her husband, Eric, of Yarmouth; three sons, Richard and his wife, Donna, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Raynald and his wife, Mary, of Freeport and Robert and his wife, Laura, of Sudbury, Mass.; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Matthew, Molly, Luke, Kalie, Lauren, Taylor, Jaimie and Michelle; and two great-grandchildren, Brayden and Nevaeh; four sisters, Liane Sarrasin, Rita Lepage and Laurette Poulin, all of Lewiston and Yvette Elliott of Litchfield; and four brothers, Gerard, Marcel, Rosaire and Fernand, all of Lewiston.
He was predeceased by four sisters, Lucienne Charest, Jeanne Filion, Louise-Anne Bussiere and Marie Laure Roux; and four brothers Leo, Lucien, Jean, Leon and Adrien.
The family would like to express our sincere thanks for the wonderful care provided by the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice team.
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