John Charbonneau, 78, of Nashua, NH, died from Alzheimer’s on April 11. He is survived by his wife Brigitte, his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Jason, his son Stephen and his wife Lindsey, and his granddaughters Juniper and Adeline.

While no words can truly illustrate all dimensions of his personality, here’s our best shot: John was known for his wit and humor, his love of strategy games and his Le Marshalate group, and his unflagging appreciation of British comedy, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and F1. He was stubborn, a trait some may say his children inherited. Case in point: he was a lifelong allergy and asthma sufferer who loved the outdoors and would have to lie down wheezing for hours after consuming a raspberry. He never stopped eating raspberries. His lifelong appreciation for music cut through even the furthest reaches of his disease. He’d want you all to listen to “This Must Be the Place” by the Talking Heads as soon as you finish reading this. He read widely and voraciously and gifting and recommending books was one of his favorite pastimes.

Having spent his career working as an elementary school counselor, he encouraged teamwork and communication in all things, including locking his children outside on Easter morning until they both helped each other find all of their eggs. He was impossible to buy for and delighted in surprising his wife and children with unexpected, perfect gifts. He loved history, especially military history. He would text his daughter “Happy Bastille Day” every July 14. His passion for travel and unparalleled memory meant that, while on a family national park trip out west, he could recall exact directions to a hotel he and Brigitte stayed at during their cross-country road trip decades before. If he ever got lost, he never admitted it.

He was loved. He will be missed.

A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception in Nashua on Saturday, April 18 at 10:00am. A reception and Celebration of Life will follow at Sky Meadow Country Club at 12:00pm. All who knew and loved John are welcome to either or both observances. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association are welcome.

To view John's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit https://csnh.com.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Nashua.