Donald J. Ducharme

Donald J. Ducharme, 85, of Fitchburg, formerly of Gardner and Santa Anna, CA, died unexpectedly Tuesday, September 14, 2021, in UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster.

Born in Gardner on August 4, 1936, he was the son of the late Joseph H. and Loretta (Bastarache) Ducharme. He graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1957, excelling in football, basketball, and swimming. Donald was a United States Army Veteran serving from 1959 to 1961. He was Laborer employed by Del Ru Company in Bell, California, for 10-years until his retirement in 1990. He was previously employed by Lockheed Electronics in Commerce, California, for 8-years.

Donald was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish/ Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner. He was a member of the Gardner Golden Agers and Gardner Chapter of AARP—with whom he enjoyed taking trips. He was an excellent artist and, in 1952, helped start the Yearling Book at Gardner High School, for which he produced art. Donald also was an avid gardener and fisherman, taking many trips to the ocean, lake, or nearby stream trying to catch a prize fish. But the time that he loved the most was spent with his family.

Donald is survived by his two sisters, Elaine Rachupka and her husband Edmond of Westminster and Diane S. Pellett of Gardner; nieces and nephews, Karen Pellett-Charland and her husband Gregory, Lynn Wilson and her husband Adam, Tina Bettez and her husband Mark, and Craig Rachupka and his wife Cheryl; several great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife, 40-years, Joyce N. (Sharp) Ducharme, who died in 2005, a brother-in-law, Robert Pellett; and a nephew, Dean Rachupka.

The family would like to thank the Highland’s Nursing Home Third Floor Staff for the loving and compassionate care towards Donald over the last couple months.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

Calling Hours will be held Monday, September 20, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, 268 Central Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Donald J. Ducharme.