Claude DuCharme

CLAUDE DUCHARME Feb. 10, 1922 - Aug. 20, 2011 Claude DuCharme, Tucson, Ariz., passed away Aug. 20, 2011, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Claude was born to parents Omer and Laura (Descoteaux) DuCharme, the youngest of seven children and raised in Lowell, Mass. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, serving with the Weather Reconnaissance Squadron through World War II, achieving the rank of sergeant. During this service, he was stationed in Arden, N.C., before being deployed to Burma, India. Decorated with the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign and the American Theater Campaign Ribbons, he was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Asheville, N.C., and married Martha Alton Strickland (whom he had met at a USO dance while stationed in Arden). They moved to Lowell, Mass. while he attended classes at Harvard Business School. Their first son was born there. They moved to Rock Hill, S.C., where he worked as a salesman for the Celanese Corporation and enjoyed the arrival of two more sons. He was involved in Little Theater while in Rock Hill. In addition to helping behind the scenes and building props, he was the lead actor in a performance of "Gaslight." The next five years were spent in Raleigh, N.C. working with the Lipton Tea Company, welcoming another son and (finally) three daughters. The family moved to Las Vegas in 1960, to join Claude's brother, Roger. He worked the graveyard shift for many years at the Stardust Hotel while maintaining an independent insurance agency. He enjoyed time spent on Lake Mead with the family and downhill and cross-country skiing in Mount Charleston. He was active in the Knights of Columbus in Raleigh and in Las Vegas, volunteering his time for many worthy causes. He helped coach Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) baseball in Las Vegas for several years while his sons, Steve and Greg, were players. In 1975, he moved to Carson City, working for Hardman House Hotel. He married Helen (Cuthrell) in 1978. In their spare time, they enjoyed hiking, skiing, and riding dirt bikes around the back roads of Washoe County. They moved to Tucson, Ariz. in 1982. Claude and Helen owned and operated Pima General Insurance Agency from 1982 until 1999. Many people still remember buying their insurance from him, at the office near Davis Monthan Air Force Base. Since his retirement, he had plenty of time for "the puppies" (DeeDee, Sparky, Micki, Buddy, Mack and now Ana, Mimi and Harry), golf, gardening, and traveling to visit friends and family. He had been a member of the American Legion since 1982. An excellent crossword puzzle solver, he easily completed puzzles daily until the last few days of his life. An avid golfer, he recently shot an 83 at a favorite golf course, obtaining a life ambition of shooting under his age (which was 89). He leaves his wife, of 33 years, Helen; his sons, Steve DuCharme (Patty Becker), Greg DuCharme, Marc DuCharme (Christy), and Eric DuCharme; daughters, Martha DuCharme, Laura DuCharme Conboy (Garth Conboy) and Dawn DuCharme (Charles Grebing); stepsons, David (Debra) Stowater and Scott Stowater; grandchildren, Cameron DuCharme, Eric Moore (Joanna), David DuCharme (Monica), Nicolas and Danielle DuCharme, James Wilson, Danielle Stowater, Victoria DuCharme Dane and Ari Conboy; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Moore and Madison DuCharme; sister-in-law, Eunice DuCharme; nephew, Doug DuCharme (Judy); nieces, Donna DuCharme and Darlene DuCharme; several grand and great-grandnieces and nephews; and many dear friends, neighbors and golf buddies. His granddaughter, Amy DuCharme precedes him in death. Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, at Bring's Broadway Chapel, 6910 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85710, (520) 296-7193. Interment following at All Faiths Memorial Park, 2151 S. Avenida Los Reyes, Tucson, Ariz.