Obituaries
Gerard J. Charpentier, 89: WWII Vet, Purple Heart Recipient, Ex-Prisoner of War
Calling hours are today, 5-8 p.m., at Rebello Funeral Home.
Gerard J. Charpentier, 89, of Lincoln St., and formerly of Pawtucket, died Oct. 11, 2013 at Orchard View Manor surrounded by his loving family, according to Rebello Funeral Home.
He was the husband of the late Rita M. (Picard) Charpentier for 62 years. Born in N. Providence, he was the son of the late Alfred and Lucina M. (Richard) Charpentier.
He was a WWII veteran serving with the US Army. He was a Private, Company E, 351st Infantry, 88th Division. He received the American Theater Ribbon, EAME Ribbon with 3 bronze stars and the Purple Heart with 1 bronze cluster. He was an EX-POW from 1944-1945. He was a lifetime member of the American EX-Prisoner of War, Inc. and a Past Post Commander of Post 14 in Central Falls. He worked as a police officer for the Central Falls Police Department, worked at Narragansett Wire, was a mail clerk for the US Post Office and then worked as a bank guard for RI Hospital Trust Bank until he retired.
He is survived by his children: Ann Marie Correia and husband Narciso of Seekonk, Gerard Charpentier Jr. and wife Jean of Providence, Marcel Charpentier and wife Otelinda of Lincoln, Donald Charpentier and his late spouse Mary of MO, Claude Charpentier and wife Donna of Cranston, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was the brother of Alice Mateurin of Cumberland, Florence Croteau of Lincoln and the late Irene Poisson, Leo Charpentier, Alfred Charpentier, Wilfred Charpentier, Yvonne Boucher and George Charpentier.
His funeral will begin on Wednesday, 9 a.m. from the Rebello Funeral Home and Crematory, 901 Broadway, East Providence, RI. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 984 Taunton, Ave., Seekonk.
Burial with Military Honors will be in RI Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Calling hours will be Tuesday 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Homeless Veterans Program, c/o VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, RI 02908.
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