Alfred A. Charette Jr.

Mystic - Commander Alfred A. Charette Jr., USN retired, 80, of Mystic, husband of 57 years to Marilyn (Mikkelsen) Charette, passed away unexpectedly, Friday, May 31, 2013.

Born in Providence, R.I., he was the son of the late Alfred A. Charette Sr. and Phyllis (Shepperton) Charette and resided in Mystic since 1976.

Commander Charette enlisted in 1951 and served aboard the USS Orleck (DD886) during the Korean war as well the USS Huse (DE145). From 1953, he served on the USS K1 (SSK1), USS Bang (SS385) and USS Nautilus (SSN571). In 1958, as a chief sonarman aboard the Nautilus, he was instrumental to the success of the historic first transpolar voyage from the Pacific to the Atlantic via the North Pole. In 1964, he became division engineer for the all Nuclear Submarine Division 102 which included USS Nautilus, USS Seawolf, USS Skate, and USS Skipjack.

He taught submarine sonar systems, underwater acoustics and oceanography at the Submarine School in Groton from 1966 to 1970, worked in the Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Research and Development Office at the Pentagon until 1973, was a sonar officer for COMSUBLANT until 1976 in Norfolk. He returned to Groton in 1976 and retired from COMSUBDEVRON 12, formerly COMSUBDEVGRU 2 as director of tactical systems in 1979. From retirement in 1979, he was a self-employed consultant in submarine sonar systems until 1986.

Over the years, he has been a participant in radio and television programs about submarines, including local Connecticut stations, the BBC, and the Discovery, History and The Learning Channels. He has also participated in private ventures promoting submarines, particularly the USS Nautilus. He was among the first to serve in the Submarine Force Library and Museum Docent Program. His latest efforts included working as a research assistant on a book about the Nautilus.

Throughout his Navy career, Al was active with numerous military and civic organizations. A member of the International Submariners Assoc. (USA), the Military Officers Assoc. of America, Nautilus Alumni Assoc. Inc. (historian), the Naval Submarine League, Submarine Force Library & Museum Assoc. (docent), and the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. (national and the local Groton base). He was also a member of the exclusive Holland Club, Beta Sigma Phi (honorary) (envoy), the Surfside "8" square dance club and a volunteer instructor at the Groton Senior Center. Al was the former president of the Mystic Little League and a former power squadron instructor.

Besides his wife, he leaves three children, Susan Charette of Boston, Mass., Robert Charette and his wife, Jill, of Mystic and Brian Charette and his wife, Kerri, of Gales Ferry; eight grandchildren, Bryan Lynch, Kathryn, William, Andrew, Matthew, Christopher, Summer and Joy Charette; and his two beloved cats, George and Jack. "Grampy" was known in his family for uttering eye-rolling soliciting puns, reminding others: "When all else fails, read the ‘structions", and giving loving hugs. He enjoyed square dancing and travelling with Marilyn, spending time with his grandchildren, and performing computer research as USS Nautilus alumni historian.

His family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, Mystic. A service will follow at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home, followed by full military honors. His burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nautilus Alumni Assoc. Inc. NAAI Treasurer Attn: Rick Turner, 2559 Walnut Ridge Way, Sevieville, TN 37682 (www.ussnautilus.us) or to the Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road, Groton, CT 06340, ATTN: Mary Jo Riley.

The family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave an online expression of sympathy.