Charles M. Allaire

MENDON - Charles Malcolm "Charlie" Allaire of Mendon passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 30 at the age of 90. Charlie was born in Bellingham in 1932, the son of the late Darius and Emma (Lavallee) Allaire. He was the husband of Joan E. (Drover) Allaire.

The youngest of nine children, Charlie grew up in Bellingham and Blackstone, MA. Upon graduating from Mt. St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket RI, he joined the Navy, married his first wife Kathryn F. (Gartland) Allaire, relocated to Norfolk, VA, where he was stationed, and started a family. After completing four years of Naval service, Charlie returned to his roots in Blackstone where he continued to serve in the reserves.

A builder by trade, Charlie worked as a mason during the building of Shoppers World in Framingham. Thereafter, he entered the home-building business and started C. M. Allaire & Sons. He soon moved to Mendon and transitioned into log home sales and construction, a successful business that would employ every one of his children and is still in operation today.

Always an entrepreneur, Charlie retired from the building trade in the late 1980's and moved to northern Maine. There he spent several years growing wild blueberries for a local co-op. before relocating to Massachusetts to retire with family.

Charlie was an avid reader and a skillful gardener, with a particular talent for growing garlic. Family meant everything to him. An enthusiastic supporter of his children and grand- children, he seldom missed a sporting event, recital, or graduation. He also enjoyed holiday wreath-making with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Everyone that met Charlie liked him immediately. He was a humble, religious man with great integrity and a kind heart. He was always a willing to lend a hand to family, friends and most anyone else in need.

In addition to his wife Joan of 31 years, he is survived by his eight children; Thomas Allaire of Mendon, Charles L. Allaire and partner Annette D'Arezzo, also of Mendon, Daniel Allaire of Dayville, CT, David Allaire and Christopher Allaire, both of Mendon, Emma Bitar and her husband Joseph of Worcester, Constance Oehlert of Quincy, FL and Darius Kirk Allaire of Reno, NV; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews including Tammy Choiniere. He was predeceased by his two previous wives, Kathryn and Atwood (Askew) Allaire as well as his eight sisters and brothers: Rita, Alice, Vivian, Lucille, Steven, Lucien, Arthur and Darius.

Visiting hours will be held Monday, May 22, 2023 from 4 - 7 PM at the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress St., Milford.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, May 23 at 10:00 at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 151 Mendon St., Upton.

Interment will follow, with military honors at St. Paul's Cemetery in Blackstone.

www.bumafuneralhome.com