DRACUT – Arthur J. Ducharme, Sr., age 99, a longtime resident of Dracut died Saturday, July 27, 2024 at his home. He slipped away peacefully, the way we all hope to leave this earth. He will be missed. He was the beloved husband of the late Mildred E. (Southworth) Ducharme, who died in 2006.
He was born in Pelham, NH on April 1, 1925, and was a son of the late Arthur J. and Alice (Greenwood) Ducharme.
Arthur was a World War II United States Navy veteran. He was stationed in the South Pacific, fighting in the Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Okinawa, among others. He entered the service at the age of 17 so he could support his mother and 7 siblings after the untimely death of his father.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed for many years as head carpenter at UMass Lowell. Arthur celebrated the anniversary of his retirement each year.
Arthur was a charter member of the Pelham American Legion, Post 100 and a member of the Greater Lowell Fly Fishers and the New Hampshire Civil Patrol. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman; for many years he made custom fishing rods. He was a pilot and enjoyed flying his glider. He also enjoyed painting and wood carving and at the age of 85 he got his first pair of roller blades from a yard sale. On his 86th birthday, his grandchildren bought him a bicycle with strict instructions to stay off the main road and don’t go down any hills. When he was 95 he got a three wheel trike which he drove once on Rt 38 to McDonald’s in rush hour traffic, which he immediately said he would never do again.
Arthur traveled extensively with his wife before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He was a devoted husband and cared for her for many years.
He was also a melanoma cancer survivor in his late 80’s, beating cancer by being part of a then trial melanoma treatment at Mass General Cancer Center.
Arthur truly enjoyed his time with his family and his Tuesday mornings with his Dracut McDonald’s friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Gail Ransom and her husband David of Dracut; his three sons, William Ducharme of Laconia, NH, Arthur J. Ducharme, Jr. and his wife Denise of Gulf Breeze, FL and Richard Ducharme of Hilton Head, SC; seven grandchildren, Allison Kresco, Sarah Ducharme, Justin Ducharme, Carolyn Wilson, David Ransom, Jill Laffin and Steven Ransom; fourteen great grandchildren, Chelsea Roberts, Emily Kresco, Brooke Ducharme, Hadley Ducharme, Patrick Dillon, Sean Dillon, Addy Dillon, Madelyn Wilson, Celia Wilson, Arthur Wilson, Nora Ransom, Eva Laffin, Lilly Ransom and Emma Ransom; three great great grandchildren, Meagan Rose, Spencer Myrdek and McKenzie Roberts; a sister, Rita Hohmann and her husband Joe of Boston; a brother, Robert Ducharme and his wife Carolyn of AZ; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also the brother of the late Ronald Ducharme, Yvonne Maglio, Helen Spaulding, Jeannette Bergeron and Alfred Ducharme.
It being Arthur’s wish, there will be no visitation. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service, at Varnum Cemetery at 71 Parker Road in Dracut, Saturday, August 17th at 11:00am. Those who wish may make a donation in Arthur’s memory to Dracut Food Pantry, 1934 Lakeview Ave # 11, Dracut, MA 01826. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell. For condolences, please visit www.mckennaouellette.com [mckennaouellette.com]
