CLAYTON, N.C. – Ronald M. Ducharme, 48, formerly of Auburn, died unexpectedly early Tuesday morning, Dec. 27, at his home.

He was born in Lewiston on Oct. 23, 1957, a son of Richard J. and Ruth C. (Lamare) Ducharme. Ron was educated in local schools and graduated from Edward Little High School.

Following high school, he remained in Auburn for a time and then moved to Hollywood, Fla., for a number of years before relocating to North Carolina, where he had lived for several years.

He has worked in the maintenance field his whole life and was currently head of maintenance for Cambridge apartments in Raleigh, N.C., at the time of his death.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and the company of his two dogs.

He leaves his wife, Melinda Ducharme, of Clayton, N.C.; two stepsons, Daniel and William Keith; his mother, Ruth Martin and husband, Paul, of Lewiston; his father, Richard Ducharme, also of Lewiston; five grandchildren; a brother, Rick Ducharme and wife, Sally, of Virginia; a niece, Danielle Ducharme of Virginia; a stepsister, Judy McMorrow and husband, Jody, of Mechanic Falls; three stepbrothers, Paul Martin of Auburn, Dennis Martin of Oregon and Michael Martin of Lewiston; and several aunts and uncles.