1929 – 2014

STOUGHTON, Mass. — His family and friends lost an honorable man on Wednesday, Oct. 8, when Charles J. Bellegarde Jr. died after a short illness.

Charles was the only son of the late Charles Sr. and Rose (LaPierre) Bellegarde. Born in Lewiston on March 24, 1929, he was one of five children. He grew up surrounded by his four sisters, Rachel, Juliette, Monique and Claire.

When Charlie graduated from the University of Maine with a civil engineering degree, he joined his father in the construction business. Together they nurtured and grew the family business of C. Bellegarde & Son, building many homes in the Lewiston area.

Upon his father’s retirement, Charlie took over the business and developed it with a more specific focus, using his expertise to shape the new business: Bellegarde Custom Kitchens. Charlie built an enviable reputation for fine craftsmanship and quality service. By the mid-1970s, having a “Bellegarde Kitchen” was a key selling point in home sales.

Charlie married his wife of 55 years, Nancy Cyr, on July 11, 1959. Together they raised four children, Lynda Foisy, Kenneth Foisy, Michelle Viveiros and Deanne Bellegarde. The loss of their youngest daughter, Deanne, in 1978, was a great sorrow for them both. Their deep faith and strong love enabled them to move forward.

During his years in business, Charlie was active in the community. Most notably, he served as a director on the board for Peoples Savings Bank of Lewiston, and remained in that position as the bank grew and transformed into Peoples Heritage Bank and TD Banknorth. Today, TD Bank is a large and still growing enterprise. For more than 25 years, Charlie was a vital member of the bank’s governing bodies, finally retiring in 2002.

Charlie was an avid skier and his family enjoyed spending active time together at Sugarloaf Mountain. In 2002, Charlie and Nancy moved to The Villages, Fla., to enjoy retirement and continue their mutual love of golf. They participated there in many activities and built a new cadre of friends. More recently, they relocated to Rhode Island in order to be closer to their children.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Michelle; two stepchildren, Lynda and Kenneth; and seven grandchildren, Kelsie Fahey, Ryann Hood, Glenn Hood, Deanne Viveiros Munn, Cory Viveiros, George Foisy and Dustin Foisy — they will remember his warmth and goodness. He is also survived by his sisters, Juliette Stokes, Monique Patenaude and Claire Callahan. To his great delight, Charlie was able to welcome two great-grandchildren, Hunter Hood and Charlotte “Charlie” Munn.

Besides his parents and daughter, Deanne, he was predeceased by his sister, Rachel Amnott.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.

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