Wilfred Charbonneau, Jr.

At 5:07 he went to Heaven.

After a rich and full life of 91 years, Wilfred Charbonneau Jr. was called home to the LORD on the afternoon of August 25, 2025 in Summerville, South Carolina.

Wilfred Charbonneau Jr. was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 9th, 1934, the second son of four children. He was preceded in death by parents Wilfred and Gladys Charbonneau, siblings Dorothy “Dot” Bergdhal, and twins Richard and Robert Charbonneau. He once remarked he was not “brought up but dragged up”as the early years for Dad were difficult after his mother left the family and the siblings were split up. Dad lived with his “Uncle Joe and Aunt Viv” while his brothers spent time in the Worcester Orphanage until reunited. Dad always had a quest to find out about his mother, and in his late 70’s this journey was fulfilled when he connected with his half sister and learned of his mother's life and her passing. This act brought him comfort, closure and peace to finally connect and know the details of her life. This allowed him to foster a new relationship with his half-sister Irene Damiano.

Growing up, he loved nature and joined the Boy Scouts of America, and was known for his cooking and camping skills. Dad was chosen from among many local scouts to attend the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge PA. in 1950 and was so proud to have attended. He shared many stories of his time and the skills he learned in the boy scouts including fond memories of his scout master who he respected greatly. His first job was as a ninepin pinsetter in a bowling alley making 10 cents per string. He attended the Worcester Trade School for Boys and learned wood pattern making as a profession, graduating in 1952.

Wilfred joined the Air Force in 1955 at 21. His early career included service as a Military Policeman, and dog handler. In 1960, at an American Legion dance in Plattsburgh, he met a young lady, Elizabeth “Betty” Trombly. This dance would never end as they were engaged and married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church June 24, 1961. Family life followed with the birth of their daughter April Joy, April 1962 and Wilfred Gerald “Jerry”, March 1963. A duty transfer to Westover AFB in Massachusetts, demonstrated “Charb”s dedication to family. Dad would make this 200 mile plus journey - before the advent of the interstate highway - every weekend for over five years many times by hitchhiking, or motor scooter to spend weekends with his young family and to complete construction of their home in Chazy, NY. One of Dad’s great stories is how he went around a construction barrier, plunged into an excavated hole and busted out his front teeth. We are reminded of this life event each time we would see Dad smile. As Dad’s Air Force career expanded he cross-trained as a Draftsman creating engineering diagrams for Electrical and Telecommunications Equipment.

New military orders moved this family in February 1969 to Hickam AFB in the tropical splendor of Hawaii. A third child, Mark Joseph, was born in April 1969. Wilfred, and not the physician, had to explain to Betty their new son would have some challenges to overcome because of an unexpected facial difference This life changing event further underscored Dad's comforting, caring and ever-present positive optimism that challenges are meant to be taken in stride and overcome. The years in Hawaii were spent absorbing the culture with many family activities, beach vacations at Bellows Recreation Center, hiking and outdoor adventures on the islands.

The family left the Hawaiian paradise in 1973 with orders to San Antonio, Texas where they would spend the next 41 years. Dad concluded a distinguished 28-year Air Force career as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1983.

Dad’s passion for learning marked his life. He worked as a set builder for SeaWorld, and piloted the Fun Ship on grand opening day and during the nightly closing parades. Dad filled in as a substitute teacher in a high-school vocational printing class. His life-experience based teaching style resonated with students, who wrote him a heart-felt thank-you letter when his teaching time concluded. A fellow instructor’s remark t encouraged Dad to attend night classes and he concurrently completed an Associate degrees in both Heating and Air Conditioning and Residential Home Building. Charb graduated from St.Philips College in 1993, the same week as Betty received her Office Technology Associates Degree. He worked various maintenance and air conditioning jobs and worked at the VA Medical Center in the carpentry shop, where he met his longtime friend Roland Cooper. He joined the local Sheet Metal Union where he worked among the San Antonio commercial building landscape until retiring.

In leisure, Wilfred focused on interests in nature, natural healing, gardening, and ballroom dancing. He learned to scuba dive as a young airman while stationed in Guam, He took a train trip across the Canadian Rockies with his mountain climbing group. Dad was an avid mountain climber and would make several trips to Colorado with his close friend Ed Quinn. Their goal was to climb as many of the ten thousand foot mountains they could. During one epic mountain climbing trip Dad and Ed became caught in a storm at elevation, Dad’s training and direction was the reason both survived this brutal encounter.

Dad enjoyed reading about mountain climbing, nature, Aikido, acupressure, and herbal remedies. Dad always had a garden and would generously share bags of his fresh grown vegetables with friends and neighbors. He was engaged in his children’s interests, be it a scouting pack leader, automotive mechanics, or various science and athletic interests. Wilfred and Betty loved Ballroom Dancing, taking many years of classes and belonged to numerous dance groups. As a family we have many cherished memories of the roadtrips, and summer vacations to Worcester and Chazy, with camping adventures along the way. Retirement summers were spent in Chazy with Dad enjoying sailing and crewing on a sailboat racing team and tirelessly working on improvements to the Chazy House. Chazy, New York was his true place of peace and where he will join our loving mother Elizabeth.

In 2014, Wilfred and Elizabeth moved to the Elms Retirement Community of North Charleston to be closer to family, where they engaged in many activities, and made many friendships on walks with their friendly and bouncy dog Betsy. The festive fun of social events kept their calendar busy. We all remember Dad's affinity for sharing alkaline water and his statement on dehydration. Many of the Elms residents were enriched to learn about Acupressure during Dads series of eight lectures given at the clubhouse.

Mom led Dad into the fullness of the Catholic Church. He went through the RCIA program at Immaculate Conception Church under the instruction of Sister Raquel Balagtas and was confirmed in 2017. Sister Raquel remarked that Dad (and Mom) were the best students she ever had! Dad was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Parish in Goose Creek SC.

Wilfred is now reunited with his wife Betty of 62 years. He is survived by his daughter April Cheesborough (Jim), Son Wilfred “Jerry” Charbonneau (Sonja), Son Mark Charbonneau (Jennifer). Granddaughters Rochelle Cheesborough Black, Hannah Cheesborough, Caroline McCullough (Andy), Madeleine Cheesborough, Annalia Charbonneau and grandson Wilfred Jacob Charbonneau. Great Grandchildren Aralyn, Burley IV, Khaleesi, Sylas and their father Talbert Burley Black III.

Dad touched the lives of countless people. He would often state “I’ve had a good life.” He will be remembered as always being social, cheerful, friendly, and genuinely interested in everyone he met. Charb demonstrated the ethic of hard work, and was eager to help others in any way he could. The expression of his life’s philosophy was to share loving kindness and in doing so, find pleasure in seeing others' happiness.

We will miss our beloved, Dad, Papa and great grandpa “Great-great”.

Our family would like to extend sincere thanks and appreciation to Ms. Lauren Wade, Dads dedicated and loving caregiver of almost two years. Lauren was with him through good times and difficult times, and we are eternally grateful for her devoted care of him. We would also like to thank the staff at Harmony at Wescott Assisted Living Facility and Marilyn Richardson for her compassionate care of our father. We extend appreciation to the staff of Agape Hospice Care of South Carolina for their services and guidance.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 6th at 2 pm at J. Henry Stuhrs Funeral Home Northwoods Chapel. Family and Friends may gather, beginning at 1:00 pm. Deacon John Murphy will be presiding.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday September 11th at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chazy NY with internment to follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Chazy New York.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: African Education Outreach (AEO) POB 1066 Ladson SC. 29456 Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. P.O. Box 302 Maryknoll, NY 10545 Or a charity of one’s choice.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.