Louis Roger Charest

Louis Roger Charest, 94, a proud veteran of World War II, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Known to family as Roger but to his many friends and coworkers as Louis, he was born on May 7th, 1928 in Fall River, to the late Aurel J. and Ida (Michaud) Charest. In his youth, Louis was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing. In his two years as a Seaman, Second Class in the U.S. Navy, he served on the U.S.S. Portsmouth and on the U.S.S. Fargo. He crossed the equator for the first time on May 31st, 1946 and visited 18 countries. After his military service, he graduated from Diman Vocational High School in 1950. In 1954, Louis embarked to Colorado and Utah to spend two years prospecting for precious metals. He returned to Fall River in 1956 and worked in carpentry and construction. Notably, he helped to build the Prudential Tower in Boston and the Braga Bridge. In 1971, he met Pauline Talbot, and they married on October 2nd, 1971. They settled in Tiverton and raised three sons. In 1977, Louis started working at the Naval Education and Training Center at the Newport Naval Base as a carpenter and finally as a planner and estimator, before retiring in 1994.

Louis leaves his wife of 51 years, Pauline Charest of Fall River; and three sons, Marc Charest of Tiverton, Brian Charest of Medford MA, and Jeffrey Charest (wife Olivia) of Flagstaff AZ. He also leaves one grandson, Louis J. Charest, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and by his three brothers, Gerald H. Charest, Robert R. Charest, and Aime L. Charest. He was a gifted storyteller with a wry sense of humor and a gentle heart, and he made friends wherever he went. Louis’ family would like to thank the staff of Prosper at Fall River, where he lived since 2021, and the staff of the David James Hospice Unit at the VA Hospital in Bedford, MA, where Louis spent his final weeks and received wonderful care.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 15, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 So.Main St.Fall River. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 11:00 A.M.

Entombment, Notre Dame Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans LA 70130; or to the Friends of Tiverton Libraries, 34 Roosevelt Avenue, Tiverton RI 02878.