CHAREST, Louis George
1918 - 2018 (99 years)
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Name CHAREST, Louis George Nickname George Born 4 Oct 1918 Grandmere P. Que, Canada 
Gender Male Naturalized 4 Dec 1944 Providence, Rhode Island [1] Naturalization number 6414859 Military Service Active 22 May 1945 [2] Honorable discharge from the US Coast Guard, for service from December 7, 1941 to August 15, 1945. During this time Louis George Charest was serving in the US Merchant Marines as a cook on various merchant ships, under control of the US Coast Guard. SSN Social Security Number 036-03-6133 Died 5 Jun 2018 Woonsocket, Rhode Island - Obituary from Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home, Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Louis George Charest 99, formerly of Rockridge Dr., died June 4, 2018 at Woonsocket Health Center. He was the husband of the late Eloria (Lussier) Charest. Born in PQ Canada, he was a son of the late Ildephonse and Emilie (Frechette) Charest. Louis served in the Merchant Marines during WWII. He was the owner and cook for the former White Front Restaurant for a short time. He later owned and operated Georges Variety Store for several years, and then retired from the Foxboro Company.
He is survived by two sisters Claire Forand of Woonsocket, and Lucille Duclos of Baltimore, MD. He was predeceased by his siblings Rosaire and Armand Charest, Therese Gaunt, Rita Danese, Marguerite Volpe, and Noella Papagno.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday June 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM in All Saints Church, Rathbun St. Woonsocket. Burial will be held in St. James Cemetery in Manville.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louis George Charest, please visit our floral store.
Cremated 11 Jun 2018 Saint James Roman Catholic Cemetary, Manville, Rhode Island Person ID I4 Charest Genealogy Last Modified 17 Aug 2020
Father CHAREST, Ildephonse, b. 19 Mar 1891, Upton, Quebec, Canada , d. 20 Jan 1945, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 53 years) Relationship Birth Mother FRECHETTE, Emelie, b. 22 Nov 1889, St. Didace, Quebec, Canada , d. 3 Jun 1957, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 67 years) Relationship Birth Married 4 Oct 1916 Joliette, Quebec, Canada Documents 
Genealogy of the Charest Family
A detailed genealogy of the Charest family, as researched by Roger Forbes. Much of his source information comes from French-language documents maintained at the French-American Association, Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Summary of Deceased Family Members
A summary of birth and death dates of members of the extended Charest family, descendents of Ildephonse Charest and Emily Frenchette. This document was developed as a collaboration between Roger Forbes and Pauline (Hurteau) Watson. As Pauline wrote:
"This is a project that was undertaken because one of my nephews wanted to know when some of our relatives passed away. I thought it was a very important and necessary project to do and Roger offered to help locate some of the dates. This project was very hard to do and brought back many, many memories. It was done with lots of love and many tears."
This document should be considered a primary source reference for the dates shown.
Wedding Announcement of Ildephonse Charest
A French-language newspaper clipping announcing the marriage of Ildephonse Charest. This appears to have been published some time after the actual wedding, as the wedding was in Joliette, Canada, and this article appears to be written in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Machine translation summary:
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Headline: Sixty-nine at the wedding supper at Mr. Charest's house
Article Summary: A large automobile procession took place. Sixty-nine people attended the celebration at Mr. Athanase Charest's home on Nash Road, not counting children. Mr. Ildefonse Charest, married in Joliette, immediately left for New Bedford, while his brother Armandius was married the next day. They will travel to Fall River, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Brockton, Taunton, New Bedford, Joliette, and Quebec. Mr. and Mrs. Armandius Charest will return to Brockton, and Mr. and Mrs. Ildefonse Charest will live in Quebec.
Gift List: A list of gifts offered to Mr. and Mrs. Ildefonse Charest and Mr. and Mrs. Armandius Charest is provided, including clocks, linens, silverware, and various household items from numerous donors. A separate list of gifts for Mr. and Mrs. Ildefonse Charest is also included.
Letter From Ildephonse Charest to Emelie Frechette
This image is a photograph of a handwritten letter in French from Ildephonse (Alphonse) Charest to his future wife Emelie Frechette. This letter date only includes a month and day, but as they were married 4 Oct 1916 the year of this letter is probably 1916. A line in this letter appears to indicate they were setting their wedding date.
Note 1: The closing line of
- St-Remi [de] Tingwick -
Probably refers to Saint-Remi-de-Tingwick, which is a municipality located in the Centre-du-Qubec region of Quebec, Canada. This may have been Ildephonse's location when writing this letter.
Machine (AI) Translation
Page 1
Quebec July 29
To Mademoiselle Emelie Frechette
Miss and Dear [?]
A few words to give you news of me which are very good thank God thank you.
And at the same time
I must ask you for forgiveness for all the faults that I have committed by not having been faithful to my promises.
Page 2
But you know, you know that I have a good heart and I admit every day I already have a few mayors in my heart
Every time I fancifully, I tell myself that I must write us back and you, sincerely, give me the gift, and if you give me the gift, I want to become married. Even though I love him, he is still very much in love even though we are not married
It is time to do what we should have done instead of this. I have said
In Borbes, a gray figure that mo
Page 3
...must that you are still faithful and he must come to your house to give you my news.
I am the second cook on the St. Ireneo and I have a salary of $50.00 a month. I should have enough to get married as soon as I finish my time at sea.
But as I told you, if you want, you will be my wife.
I promise you, because God will not allow me to forget you; I must do his will.
Page 4
aussistat that I have finished, be sure, be and cheese from October or at November, serve, I have a fork. Fork goes to Bedford, it has and returned to Grand Cere. I have a big commitment for the winter while the guarded one, solve the problem, I want you to receive from your news soon what I gave you, I regret to you, the washhouse will remain if you and farsee flous nois fable what yours
Page 5
Keep the [money/envelope] sent for the month as you would like.
I believe that is all for tonight from your friend.
I hope so, Alphonse Charest.
Cuisinier [Cook], St-Remi [de] Tingwick, Louise Richer [?], Quebec.Photos 
The Charest Family, Descendants of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest
A family photograph of all nine children of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest. Taken during a family reunion in the early 1980s. This was the last time all nine children were together, as Margaret would pass several years later.
From Left to right, top row:
Rita, Noella, George, Lucille, Margaret
Second Row:
Clair, Joe, Armand, Theresa
Ildephonse Charest and Emilie Frechette
Ildephonse Charest and Emilie Frechette, unknown year taken. Possibly another photo taken on their wedding day.
Wedding Photo of Claire Charest and Leo Forand
Wedding photo of the Charest family at the wedding of Claire Charest and Leo Forand. From left to right:
Louis George Charest, __, __, __, __, __, __, __ .Family ID F1 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family HOULE - LUSSIER, Eloria, b. 27 Jan 1916, Montgomery Falls P. Que, Canada , d. 1984 (Age 67 years) Married Type: Catholic Church Documents 
Newspaper Wedding Announcement of Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle Lussier
Undated newspaper wedding announcement for Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle Lussier.Photos 
Eloria Houle - Lussier Wallet Photo
A wallet-sized photo of Eloria Houle-Lussier apparently given to Louis George Charest. On the back of this photo is a date January 5, 1950
Wedding of Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle
The wedding of George Charest and Eloria Houle-Lussier.Last Modified 26 Feb 2016 Family ID F4 Group Sheet | Family Chart
- Obituary from Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home, Woonsocket, Rhode Island
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Documents 
Merchant Marine Certificate - Louis George Charest
Certificate attesting to service in the US Merchant Marines
Seaman's Passport for Louis George Charest
Seaman's passport used by Louis George Charest. Seaman's passports are valid as passports issued by the State Department in every signatory nations.
Discharge Certificate for Louis George Charest
Honorable discharge certificate from the US Coast Guard. During WWII, all Merchant Mariners were inducted into the US Coast Guard for military service, transporting troops and supplies.
History of Louis George Charest
A history of the life of Louis George Charest. As written from brief interviews late in his life, and recollections of his family members.Newspaper Wedding Announcement of Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle Lussier
Undated newspaper wedding announcement for Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle Lussier.
Louis George Charest Wallet Photo
A photo of Louis George Charest. On the back is an inscription "For shop girl from Louis G Charest S.S. Richard Upjohn Jan 22nd 1949"
Unknown who "shop girl is. The S.S. Richard Upjohn was a Liberty ship, in service from 1944 to 1976. George served on this ship during and for some time after WWII. As women were not part of ship's company, "Shop Girl" may have been a woman George met in one of the ports.
Membership Card for Howe Caverns Club to Louis George Charest m
A membership card to Howe Caverns, Cobleskill, New York, for Louis George Charest. Dated June 25, 1952
Membership Card to Marquette P.N.E. Club, Woonsocket, Rhode Island
A Membership Card for Louis george Charest to Marquette P.N.E. Club, Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Dated 1957
Membership Card to Woonsocket Camera Club for Louis George Charest
A membership Card to Woonsocket Camera Club, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, for Louis George Charest. Dated 1954 - 1955. On the back are two handwritten phone numbers for "Martha" and "Armand." These are most likely Martha Wilkens and Armand Charest, as 1954-1955 a would be when they were engaged and making wedding arrangements.
Membership Card for Booklet Pane Society to Louis George Charest
A membership card to the Booklet Pane Society for Louis George Charest, dated December 31, 1958
Louis George Charest handwritten Notes 1984
A set of handwritten notes on memo paper by Louis George Charest. Shows an inventory of camera equipment and airline tickets to New Orleans, Louisiana from Providence, Rhode Island. Eloria appears to be accompanying him on this trip.
Wartime Regulations for the Photographer 1942
Found among the papers of Louis George Charest. A wallet-sized pamphlet describing wartime (WWII) restrictions on photography around the United States. Compiled by Popular Photography, Ziff-davis Publishing Company, dated 1942
Headstones 
Headstone for Louis George Charest and Eloria (Charest) Lussier
Headstone for Louis George Charest and Eloria (Charest) Houle. They were buried together with the parents of Eloria Lussier.
Second Headstone Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle
Back view of Headstone for Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle
Histories 
Obituary of Louis George Charest
This obituary was published in the local newpaper "The Woonsocket Call" on June 8, 2018
Photos Louis George Charest 1943
Scan from an original photo of Louis George Charest, back of photo has the date 1943 inscribed in pencil.
Louis George Charest 2015
Photo of Louis George Charest, taken in his nursing home in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, April 2015.
Wedding Photo of Louis George Charest and Eloria Lussier
Wedding Photo of Louis George Charest and Eloria Lussier, year unknown
Farrell Lines Ship Postcard, Louis George Charest
One of the ships Louis George Charest served on as a Merchant Marine Sailor. Farrell Lines Incorporated was named in 1948 after James A. Farrell, Jr., and John J. Farrell, sons of James Augustine Farrell, president of US Steel. The company was previously known as American South African Lines (ASAL). It was a passenger line and cargo line in regular service from New York City to South Africa stopping at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Lourenço Marques (Maputo) in Mozambique. The ships were well-appointed and carried about 180 passengers.The Charest Family, Descendants of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest
A family photograph of all nine children of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest. Taken during a family reunion in the early 1980s. This was the last time all nine children were together, as Margaret would pass several years later.
From Left to right, top row:
Rita, Noella, George, Lucille, Margaret
Second Row:
Clair, Joe, Armand, TheresaWedding Photo of Claire Charest and Leo Forand
Wedding photo of the Charest family at the wedding of Claire Charest and Leo Forand. From left to right:
Louis George Charest, __, __, __, __, __, __, __ .
Louis George Charest
early photo of Louis George Charest, as a chef. George was a chef prior to joining the U.S. Merchant Marines as ship's cook. This photo would have been taken in the early 1930s, possibly as early as 1931.
George Charest Demonstrating Camera Equipment
George Charest was an avid photographer. For many years he worked as a freelance photographer for weddings local news media. He had his own darkroom equipment and invested in top end photography equipment of the era.
From about 1954 to 1955 Louis George Charest was an active member of the Woonsocket Camera Club. The club held weekly Saturday meetings open to the public, and worked to encourage people's interest in the art of photography. This picture shows Louis George demonstrating a tripod-mounted early-1950s Rolleiflex Rangefinder camera with flash attachment to a young girl.
The camera appears to be a Rolleiflex 2.8F Twin-lens reflex camera with tripod and sidemount flash attachment. . This was a common professional-grade camera of that era.
Group Wedding Photo Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
A group wedding photo of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest with all their weeding party.
From Left to Right
Back Row: Jim McCarthy (Best Man), Victoria (---) Fenton, Eddie Behr, Martha (Wilkens) Charest, Armand Charest, "Suzie", George Charest
Front Row: Noella Charest, Pauline (Watson) Hurteau
Victoria ("Vicky") was one of Martha's close friends. Vicky and her husband Ray Fenton (married about one year after this wedding) become Godparents to Armand and Martha's oldest son Ronald.
Jim McCarthy was Armand's best friend at time of Armand's marriage. Jim and Armand were sharing an apartment in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City, at the time Armand became engaged to Martha. Jim and Armand remained friends their entire lives, and Armand was with Jim when Jim passed in the late 1980s.
Eddie Behr was another of Armand's close friends.
"Suzie" was a close friend of Martha, no last name available.Wedding of Louis George Charest and Eloria Houle
The wedding of George Charest and Eloria Houle-Lussier.
First Communion of George Charest
George would have made his first communion about age 8 - 9, which dates this photo to 1926-1927. George had polio as a young child, which left him permanently crippled. Another photo shows him with a leg brace, but in this photo he does not appear to be wearing this leg brace.
Inlaid Pachisi Board Created by George Charest
George Charest created a number of large, complex, inlaid wood pieces. This particular piece was a 36 inch x 36 inch Pachisi Board. George started work on this 9 June 1992, and completed it August 7 1992. This board has 860 seperate pieces of wood veneer, and George averaged 8 hours a day, every day, working on it.
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Sources - [S2] Security Questionnaire, US Military Document, 2 (Reliability: 3).
- [HONORABLE DISCHARGE CE] (Reliability: 3).
Image scan of discharge certificate uploaded.
- [S2] Security Questionnaire, US Military Document, 2 (Reliability: 3).