Albert Decharnais

Baltimore, Md. - Albert John Decharnais, called Sarge by all of his friends, age 81, passed away on Oct. 3, 2005 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Baltimore, Md.

He was the son of the late Caroline Butler Decharnais Harvey and Albert Alphonse Decharnais.

He left school to fight in World War II, and was given his diploma on June 2000 at Waterford High School in honor of lifetime achievement and contribution to the war effort.

Enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he served for 12 years.

He was a member of the VFW Post 9975, Quaker Hill, where he served as Commander in 1982.

Mr. Decharnais worked for many years at the New London News Company and was retired from Electric Boat.

He loved to cook.

He was one of the first "storm chasers" and a member of the "Loyal Legion of Hurricane Hunters, United States Air Force RB-29 Bermuda". As stated on a well worn card dated 10/7/1948 "Membership into this organization is granted only to those persons who have flown into at least one hurricane in the interest of gathering weather data."

He carried two pictures in his wallet of a plane that crashed on take-off of a mission as a reminder of the blessed life he lived. Although he was thrown clear of the wreckage he braved the flames sustaining severe burns over 60% of his body while returning numerous times to pull others out of the wreckage. He would share the pictures as an explanation of his scars but never shared his heroic acts. These came to light only when the letter of commendation was found in his effects.

Mr. Decharnais is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Esther Elizabeth and Dennis Hodge, of Hanover, Md.; a sister, Mary Huff, of Bettendorf, Iowa; grandchildren, Amanda, Kevin and Kathleen Hodge, of Hanover, Md.; a niece, Cheryl Seers, of Bettendorf, Iowa; a cousin, Viola Gottwalt, of New London; and several very close friends whom he considered family.

He was predeceased by his wife, Alice Kaika Decharnais

Funeral arrangements were made by Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home, Elkridge, Md.

A Memorial Mass will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at St. Joseph's Church, Montauk Ave., New London. Friends and relatives are invited to gather immediately after the mass at the home of Jane Martley, 61 Wilbur Road, Stonington, to celebrate his life.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen