Charles W. Chouiniere

Charles W. Chouiniere Fort Myers, Fl. – Charles (Chuck) W. Chouiniere passed away peacefully on July 5th, 2012, at the Hope Hospice House in Lehigh Acres, FL. Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris (LaCasse) Chouiniere; son Gene M. Chouiniere and daughter-in-law Robin (Firmender) Chouiniere; daughter Deborah A. (Chouiniere) Miller and son-in-law Gary Miller; son Brian P Chouiniere and daughter-in-law Janine (Ferguson) Chouiniere; daughter Colette A. (Chouiniere) Ryan and son-in-law Mark Ryan; son Andrew C. Chouiniere and Andrea Cornett; daughter-in-law Cheryl (Nelson) Taylor; nephew Daniel Girard and wife Karen (Mooney) Girard; grandson Christopher Chouiniere and his wife Emily (Pitcher-Cozzone) Chouiniere; grandson Jeffrey Chouiniere and his wife Michelle (Bristow) Chouiniere; granddaughter Jessica Miller and her husband Darren Crovitz; grandson Garnet Miller; granddaughters Chelsea Miller and Gillian Miller; granddaughter Angela (Chouiniere) Brown and her husband David Brown; granddaughter Kristy Lee (Chouiniere) Zink; granddaughters Casey Ryan and Kathleen Ryan; grandson William Ryan; grandniece Michelle (Girard) Bamberger and her husband Ryan Bamberger; grandson Matthew Taylor; grandnephew Brian Girard and grandniece Erica (Girard) Marshall and her husband Kenneth Marshall. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Dylan Chouiniere, Colin Crovitz, Ethan Brown, Evan Brown and Brinley Brown, as well as great-grandnephew Jack Bamberger and great-grandniece Molly Bamberger. In addition to members of his own family, Charles is survived by many other relatives and friends. Charles was predeceased by his parents and by his older brother. Charles was born on May 21st, 1934, in Waterford, NY, son of Ephraim J. Chouiniere and Elizabeth A. (Colette) Chouiniere, youngest brother of William Chouiniere and Elizabeth (Betty Ann)(Chouiniere) Caruso. Charles grew up in Waterford, attending primary school at St. Anne's in Northside, followed by secondary school at LaSalle Institute in Troy, NY and Keveny Memorial Academy in Cohoes, NY. Following secondary school, Charles attended Siena College in Loudonville, NY, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Charles met and fell in love with Doris LaCasse while she was visiting her recently married older sister, Theresa Girard, in Waterford. They married in 1955 and initially settled in Waterford, first living in a small apartment on Saratoga Ave and eventually living in an apartment on Charles St. As their family grew, Charles and Doris eventually bought a house across the river in Lansingburgh, NY. After a number of years, Charles and Doris moved back to Waterford and from there owned houses in Rexford and again in Waterford. Always welcoming to guests, Charles and Doris hosted many picnics and other parties at each of their homes, always providing a great time to all. Prior to retirement, Charles and Doris lived part-time in Lehigh Acres, FL and eventually settled full-time in Fort Myers. Through the years, Charles and Doris watched their children grow, and eventually marry. As their children had children of their own, the grandchildren were always welcomed and brought a special joy to Charles and Doris, also known as Pip and Mim. Over the last few years, grandchildren married and had their children. Each child born from Charles and Doris was very special to them, represented in pictures located throughout their home. After working for many years with his father as a carpenter, Charles eventually changed careers and worked as an insurance claims adjuster. After working for a number of years for Commercial Union and Crawford & Co., he founded Fort Orange Claims Service, which later grew to include several offices and many employees. A recognized leader in the field, Charles was the past President of the Albany Claims Association. Known for his attention to detail and broad knowledge of insurance, related law and construction, Charles was also an expert witness and served on the regional team that investigated and adjusted losses following several major catastrophes. Whether as a mentor or coach, Charles was very involved with the youth of Waterford, having worked with a childhood friend to help establish the Waterford Youth Center in the basement of the Town Hall. As a carryover from his youth, Charles participated in a number of individual or team sports, notably, softball, bowling, tennis and basketball. Whether on the tennis court or the softball field, Charles played fairly and was liked by all who played with or opposite him. In addition, Charles was a dedicated supporter of most NY professional sports teams including the NY Yankees, the NY Giants and the NY Knicks. Forever the trickster, Charles was well known for the occasional pranks and jokes that he played. He enjoyed life and sought out others that enjoyed life as well. Charles leaves behind a loving wife and family that will miss him dearly. Very devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he will always be fondly remembered as Pip. A devout Roman Catholic, Charles was dedicated to his faith, praying frequently and requesting that others pray with him. Despite the medical difficulties of his later years, Charles never strayed from his faith and passed from this earth with his father's cross and a bible by his side. Charles will be remembered in a service to be held at Blessed Pope John XXIII in Fort Myers on Friday, July 13th, at 10:00am for family and friends. Following the service, Charles' ashes will be interred in a memorial garden plot at Blessed Pope John XXIII. This fall, Charles' life will be memorialized in a service to be held in upstate NY for friends and family. The family wishes to thank the doctor, nurses, aides and staff of Hope Hospice House of Lehigh Acres for their compassionate service. Their efforts, both medically and spiritually, ensured that Charles was comfortable and at peace in his final hours. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Charles Chouiniere to the Lee Memorial Children's Hospital Capital Campaign in Fort Myers. For further information, please call 239-343-6950.