CHAREST, Joseph Armand Gabriel b. 16 Aug 1924 Woonsocket, Rhode Island d. 3 Feb 2004 Costa Mesa, California: Charest Family History

1924 - 2004 (79 years)

Name	CHAREST, Joseph Armand Gabriel
Nickname	Armand
Born	16 Aug 1924	Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Gender	Male
Military Service Active	13 Jul 1943	Providence, Rhode Island
	Armand was drafted despite having poor vision, and being in a trade (tool and Die Maker) that was considered a military-essential trade. He became a platoon machine-gunner, and earned the following awards: Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation medal with One Bronze Star. He certified as Combat Infantryman Marksman Rifle.
Military Service Discharge	20 Jan 1946	Fort Devens, Massachusetts
Died	3 Feb 2004	Costa Mesa, California
Buried	9 Feb 2004	Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California
	Section 49A Site 4335 Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Boulevard Riverside, CA 92518
Association	PAQUIN, Adrian (Relationship: Close childhood friends.)
Person ID	I8	Charest Genealogy
Last Modified	28 Nov 2021

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 » Slide Show		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: -------------- 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.
		25th Wedding Anniversary Announcement for Ildephonse and Emelie (Frechette) Charest Wedding Anniversary celebration invitation in French. Google Machine Translation: -------------------------- You are cordially invited to attend the Celebration of the 25th Wedding Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Charest on Saturday, October 4, 1941, at 4 p.m. at the Elite Club, Social Street, Woonsocket, R.I. Reception at Bernon Civic Hall, at 8:30 P.M. Corner of Bernon and Front Streets
Photos » Slide Show		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, __, __, __, __, __, __, __ .
		The Charest-Frenchette Women All the women of Ildephonse and Emelie (Frenchette) Charest. Emelie is standing at the back of teh line. Undated, believe to be sometime in teh early 1950s
Family ID	F1	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family 1 WILKENS, Martha Hertha, b. 20 Oct 1927, Manhatten, New York City, New York , d. 1 Mar 2019, McMinnville, Tennessee (Age 91 years)

Married 29 May 1955 Queens, New York

Type: Catholic Chapel

Divorced Mar 1972 Burlingham, New York

Children

	1. CHAREST, Ronald Armand
+	2. CHAREST, Melinda Victoria
+	3. CHAREST, Howard George
	4. CHAREST, Jeffery Paul

Documents

Marriage Certificate of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
Marriage Certificate of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest

Photos

» Slide Show

The Family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
The family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest. Taken on the wedding day of Ronald Charest's first wedding October 15, 1986. From left to right: Martha, Melinda, Ron (in uniform), Howard, Jeff, Armand. This was the last time the entire family was together.

Armand and his Three Sons
Armand Charest and his three sons at Christmas. Taken at the home of Howard and Pam Charest at Christmas, December 25, 2002.

Family Reunion of Martha (Charest) Wilkens Family
Family Reunion of Martha (Charest) Wilkens Family. Top Row:
- Howard Charest
- Ronald Charest
- Jeffery Charest

Bottom Row
- Martha (Charest) Wilkens
- Melinda (Fodor) Charest

Photo taken at the home of Melinda (Fodor) Charest in McMinnville, Tennessee.

The Descendants of Martha Wilkens and Armand Charest
The descendants of Martha Wilkens and Armand Charest; Their four children, children's spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Photo taken at a Christmas family reunion celebration December 24, 2014

Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens Wedding
Wedding Photo of Armand Charest and Martha Wilkens as they walked down the isle of the chapel

The Four Children of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
From left to right; Jeffery, Howard, Melinda, Ronald. Taken in Whittier, California (home of Howard and Pam) on 9 February 2004, after Armand Charest's funeral.

Armand Charest and Family
From left to right, back: Jeffery Charest, Pamela (Charest) [...], Howard Charest, Ronald Charest. Front; Armand Charest. Photo taken at Christmas, December 25, 2002. Armand had suffered a stroke earlier this year and was confined to a wheelchair as result.

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.

Videos

Martha (Charest) Wilkens Memorial Tribute
This is a video made to honor the life of Martha (Charest) Wilkens. It was created by Josh Thompson, husband of Martha's granddaughters Renes Torrence, shortly after Martha's passing. This video features photographs taken throughout Martha's life, from early childhood until shortly before her passing. Created 15 march 2019, this is an 18:20 minute video so please allow a short period of time for loading.
Music Tracks:
- Earth Angel - Marvin Berry and the Starlighters
- Johnny Cash - Ballard of a Teenage Queen
- Who's Sorry Now - Connie Francis
- You Showed Me - The Turtles
- Imagine - John Lennon (Remastered)
- Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Simon and Garfunkel
- Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
- Shooting Star - Bad Company

Last Modified 15 Jan 2019

Family ID F9 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Family 2 Diane

Children

1. UNKNOWN LAST NAME, Jeffery

Documents

Confirmation Flyer for Ronald Charest
Confirmation flyer from St Luke's Lutheran Church, Farmingdale, Long Island, for the confirmation service that included Ronald Charest. St. Luke's Lutheran Church was the family church during the time they lived in Farmingdale. Armand (father) was Catholic and typically went to early Catholic service less than one mile away from St Luke's, then met the rest of the family for service at St Luke's. St Luke's also provided children's Sunday School classes and all the Charest children attended Sunday School prior to church service each Sunday. 2 May 1971

Last Modified 15 Jan 2019

Family ID F48 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Event Map

Buried - 9 Feb 2004 - Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California

= Link to Google Earth

Pin Legend : Address : Location : City/Town : County/Shire : State/Province : Country : Not Set

Documents » Slide Show		Death Certificate of Armand Charest Death Certificate of Armand Charest. Armand died February 3, 2004
		Armand Charest's DD214 Certificate Discharge document showing Armand Charest's record of service in the US Army during WWII, and honorable discharge.
		Birth Certificate for Armand Charest Copy of birth certificate for Armand Charest. Armand's birth name was Joseph Armand Gabriel Charest, but Armand never used his name "Joseph" in any legal document.
		College Diploma Awarded To Armand Charest One of Armand's lifelong dream was to earn his Bachelor's degree. On December 23, 1986, at the age of 62, Armand did earn his Bachelor of Arts in English, through California State University, Dominguez Hills. Armand did earn an Associates of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering through Farmingdale Agricultural College in the mid-1960s. Armand was a Tool and Die Maker, and had hopes of getting into engineering work. However, Armand would later complain that holding an Associates actually hurt him in his career; His Associates Degree made him overqualified for some jobs and under-qualified for others.
		Certificate Of Excellence in Tutoring awarded to Armand Charest After Armand's retirement as a tool and die maker, he worked part-time as an English language tutor through Palomar College Tutoring Center. His work continued until about 2002, when Armand suffered a stroke that left him half-paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, and requiring 24/7 nursing care. This certificate was awarded to Armand at conclusion of the 1998/1999 school year.
		Wedding Announcement Armand and Martha (Charest) Wilkens Newspaper announcement of the wedding of Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens. No date or newspaper information, but date would be sometime in 1955, location Queens, New York City, New York
		Memoirs of Armand Charest Part I Several years before Armand had his stroke which ultimately was fatal, he wrote some family history. This is part I in a three-part series.
		Memoirs of Armand Charest, Part II Several years before Armand had his stroke which ultimately was fatal, he wrote some family history. This is part II in a three-part series.
		Memoirs of Armand Charest, Part III Several years before Armand had his stroke which ultimately was fatal, he wrote some family history. This is part III in a three-part series.
		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.

Headstones

Gravestone for Armand Charest
Gravestone for Armand Charest, Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California
Plot: Section 49A Site 4335

Photos » Slide Show		Armand Charest His last studio portrait, taken in the Spring of 2000 in Costa Mesa, California, where he was living in a senior citizen's center.
		Armand Charest in Uniform. Armand Charest in uniform. Taken at the end of his basic training in Texas, about December 1943.
		Armand Charest and Emilie (Frechette) Charest A photo of Armand Charest and his mother Emilie (Frechette) Charest. This photo appears to have been taken prior to Armand being drafted into the US Army, which makes the date sometime sometime between late 1942 to early 1943.
		Armand Charest and Noella (Charest) Papangoes Armand Charest and his sister Noella. Noella was a hair dresser who was able to earn her license in the early 1940s because of Armand. While Armand was in the Army he was sending his pay home into a saving account. Noella mentioned to Armand she wanted to become a hairdresser but didn't have the money to attend the school. Armand told her to use his Army money for her school and license. Noella never forgot his kindness and spoke of it often to Armand's children. This photo would have been taken sometime around the later half of the 1990s.
		Wedding Photograph of Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens Wedding Photograph of Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens, cutting their wedding cake. May 29, 1955
		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
		The Family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest The family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest. Taken on the wedding day of Ronald Charest's first wedding October 15, 1986. From left to right: Martha, Melinda, Ron (in uniform), Howard, Jeff, Armand. This was the last time the entire family was together.
		Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens Wedding Wedding Photo of Armand Charest and Martha Wilkens as they walked down the isle of the chapel
		Family Picture of Extended Fodor Family A family picture of the extended Fodor family with other members of the extended Charest family. From top left: Pamela ( ) Charest, Armand Charest, Melinda (Fodor) Charest, Ronald Charest, Lazlo Fodor
		Armand Charest and Family From left to right, back: Jeffery Charest, Pamela (Charest) [...], Howard Charest, Ronald Charest. Front; Armand Charest. Photo taken at Christmas, December 25, 2002. Armand had suffered a stroke earlier this year and was confined to a wheelchair as result.
		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.

Notes

Armand and Ardian Paquin were close childhood friends, and the two served in sister companies in the US Army during WWII in Pacific campaigns. In Armand's memoirs, he talks at one point about desperately searching for Adrian after a combat engagement with Japanese forces, in which Adrian's company was decimated.

Our Family History

Genealogy of the Charest Family

CHAREST, Joseph Armand Gabriel