Marblehead - Richard Walter Charbonnier died on April 26, 2018 after a valiant, two year battle with lung cancer. Dick was born in Hartford, Connecticut on June 26, 1939 to Regina F. (Fortin) Charbonnier and Walter Hoffman Charbonnier. He was raised in Connecticut alongside his older brother Donald J. Charbonnier.

Dick attended Wilbraham Academy in Wilbraham , MA, graduating in 1957. From Wilbraham he attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg Pennsylvania where he was a member of SAE. Dick left Bucknell before graduating and pursued other adventures, including work in the Caribbean islands where he worked on charter sailboats. Ultimately, he returned to college, putting himself through the University of Hartford at night while working through full time during the day.

In 1973, he met and married Patricia Devlin Charbonnier with whom he shared forty-four years of happy marriage. The two settled in Pat's hometown of Marblehead in 1973 and he opened a small printing company called Impressions One that remained on Pleasant Street in town for many years. Later, he owned and operated ProForma Atlantic Business Forms until his retirement.

Dick had two daughters, Katherine Charbonnier Oeltjen (Kate) and Elizabeth Charbonnier (Beth) who both attended Marblehead Public Schools.  Elizabeth has Down Syndrome and the entire family was dedicated to several causes like Special Olympics.  He was active in the local business community, serving as a member and Past President of the Marblehead Rotary, a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce and a Corporator of the Marblehead Savings Bank. He was a parishioner at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Marblehead and for many years, an active member at the Corinthian Yacht Club as well as the Marblehead Yacht Club.  He volunteered at the Marblehead Food Pantry and the Salvation Army. He enjoyed golfing, being involved in church activities, maintaining his tomato patch every summer and spending time with friends.

One of his favorite rolls was that of "Buppa" or Grampa to Olivia (13), Emma (10), Lucas (9) and Benjamin (9), with whom he shared reading stories, fishing, boating, and getting ice cream whenever he could at Coffey's.

Surviving him in addition to his wife are his two daughters, Katherine Charbonnier Oeltjen (Kate) and her husband Joshua of Moorestown, NJ,  Elizabeth Charbonnier (Beth) of Danvers, his grandchildren Olivia, Emma, Benjamin and Lucas Oeltjen of Moorestown, New Jersey, his brother Donald Charbonnier (Jane), Stonington, CT, his brother-in-law Thomas Devlin (Diana) Cape Neddick, ME, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Richard's visiting hours will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St, corner of North St, Salem , on Tuesday May 1, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead on Wednesday May 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Burial in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St, Danvers, MA 01923 .  Dick's family is grateful for Care Dimensions' care and support in his final days. For additional information or on line guest book please call 781-631-8885 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com .