Joseph M. Ducharme, Sr.

Joseph “Joe” Marcel Ducharme, Sr., 97, has left this good earth to return to the loving arms of his family and his Savior. He passed away peacefully on February 1, 2023 at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord, NH. Joe was born November 29, 1925, to Azilda (Champagne) and Joseph Arthur Ducharme in western Massachusetts, joining an older brother Eugene, followed thereafter by sister Denise and brother Arthur. His parents and siblings preceded him in death.

Joe graduated from the eighth grade in Lachine, Montreal and immediately went to work in a machine shop as an engine lathe operator, working 12-hour shifts, six and sometimes seven days per week. He worked there from 1940 through 1943. He returned to western Massachusetts, living with relatives temporarily until he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on January 19, 1944. He served with the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron in the Pacific Theater, serving as a tail gunner and aerial photographer. His crew flew missions over dozens of Pacific islands including the island of Japan. Joe was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargent on February 6, 1946.

Upon his return to the states Joe settled in Pittsfield, MA attending trade school where he apprenticed under Mr. Fred Young, a master carpenter working for Thomas “Tom” Hartigan. Joe met and eventually wed Louise Hartigan, youngest daughter of Ella (Grogan) and Tom Hartigan on April 16, 1947. With Tom’s help, Joe and Louise bought and renovated a mid-1700’s farmhouse on East Street in Lenox, MA where they raised their 7 children - Anne Marie, Christine, Barbara, Patricia, Judith, Joseph, Jr., and Sheila. Louise, and daughters Patricia and Sheila preceded Joe in death.

Joe loved the outdoors and enjoyed taking the family on camping trips, building skating rinks in the backyard, making the kids skateboards (before they were popular), visiting relatives, taking walks in the woods, skiing, boating, and teaching his kids to appreciate nature.

Joe worked as a carpenter/laborer building houses, churches, schools, and commercial buildings throughout Berkshire County including a complete renovation of the round stone barn at the Hancock Shaker Village. As a Superintendent for the George A. Fuller Company, Joe completed two notable projects - the library at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. and the U.S. Pavilion at the 1967 World’s Fair in Montreal, Canada where the first geodesic dome was constructed, designed by Buckminster Fuller. Joe spoke highly of the many craftsmen he worked with and much of their work still stands straight and true to this day.

Louise and Joe divorced in May 1969. Joe remarried later that year to Dorothy (Dot Hasselbeck) Smith of Pittsfield, MA whose children Kevyn, Frank, Deane, Jonathan, and Jodi expanded the Ducharme family. Soon after Joe began working for Turner Construction Company relocating to Louisville, KY to oversee construction of a high-rise office building. What followed was a highly successful 20-year career with Turner completing multiple projects in Cleveland, OH, Erie, PA, and St. Petersburg, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, FL.

Joe retired in 1991 to his beloved Sunshine State. While retired in Florida he drove across country more than a dozen times, many times in an MG convertible, to visit family and friends in Montana, Colorado, Ohio, New Mexico, Utah, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. He loved the drive for the scenery, appreciated our interstate highways, and thoroughly enjoyed his time with the people he loved.  He continued his habit of improving properties, using his superior carpentry skills and construction knowledge, whether for his homeowner’s association, his family, or friends. He loved to keep his hands, feet, and mind busy (and his tools and home in meticulous condition) using his boundless energy to complete projects quickly and accurately. 

In 2008, Dorothy and Joe divorced, and he relocated to Plains, MT to be close to his daughter Judy and son-in-law Charlie. Joe quickly made friends with the many people he met through Judy and Charlie. Once settled into his new digs, he converted his garage into a woodshop where he perfected making segmented, wooden bowls; something he taught himself at age 82.  He proved to many people that his 8th grade math skills, his common sense, and his determination were all the ingredients needed to create these beautiful works of art. One of his favorite projects was repurposing Tom Hartigan’s hand-made tool chest (from 1895) into eight wooden bowls, one each for his children and the eighth for John Hartigan, one of Tom’s grandsons.

Joe’s perpetually cold hands and feet led him back to Florida in late 2017 where he lived alone until May 2022. His good friends Merilee Landrigan and Ray Harknett enjoyed spending time with him and keeping tabs on him for the family. On May 31, 2022, Joe moved in with his son, Joe Jr., daughter-in-law Karen and granddaughters Emma and Haley in Concord, NH, celebrating his 97^th birthday on November 29, with family by his side. His declining health landed him in Hospice House where he received exceptional care until his passing. Joe’s family and friends are very grateful to all who were involved in his care; he spoke highly of all of you.

Joe leaves behind his children, Anne (Jerry) Flood, Chris Killeen, Barb Ducharme (Jeff), Judy (Charlie) Woolley, and Joe (Karen) Ducharme, Jr.; stepchildren, Kevyn Smith, Frank Smith, Deane Smith, Jodi (John) Pinto and Jonathan Smith; cousins Pauline Nault and Irene Aquino-Nickerson, 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a long list of friends. His legacy demonstrates what hard work, a cheerful heart, and living the American dream can do for an individual.

A memorial service will be held at the NH Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen, NH at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s name can be made to the Granite VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301.