CHAREST, Joseph Armand Gabriel
1924 - 2004 (79 years)
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Name CHAREST, Joseph Armand Gabriel Nickname Armand Born 16 Aug 1924 Woonsocket, Rhode Island 
Gender Male Military Service Active 13 Jul 1943 Providence, Rhode Island Armand was drafted despite having poor vision, and being in a trade (tool and Die Maker) that was considered a military-essential trade. He became a platoon machine-gunner, and earned the following awards: Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation medal with One Bronze Star. He certified as Combat Infantryman Marksman Rifle. Military Service Discharge 20 Jan 1946 Fort Devens, Massachusetts Died 3 Feb 2004 Costa Mesa, California Buried 9 Feb 2004 Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California - Section 49A Site 4335
Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92518
Association PAQUIN, Adrian (Relationship: Close childhood friends.) Person ID I8 Charest Genealogy Last Modified 28 Nov 2021
Father CHAREST, Ildephonse, b. 19 Mar 1891, Upton, Quebec, Canada , d. 20 Jan 1945, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 53 years) Relationship Birth Mother FRECHETTE, Emelie, b. 22 Nov 1889, St. Didace, Quebec, Canada , d. 3 Jun 1957, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (Age 67 years) Relationship Birth Married 4 Oct 1916 Joliette, Quebec, Canada Documents 
Genealogy of the Charest Family
A detailed genealogy of the Charest family, as researched by Roger Forbes. Much of his source information comes from French-language documents maintained at the French-American Association, Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
Summary of Deceased Family Members
A summary of birth and death dates of members of the extended Charest family, descendents of Ildephonse Charest and Emily Frenchette. This document was developed as a collaboration between Roger Forbes and Pauline (Hurteau) Watson. As Pauline wrote:
"This is a project that was undertaken because one of my nephews wanted to know when some of our relatives passed away. I thought it was a very important and necessary project to do and Roger offered to help locate some of the dates. This project was very hard to do and brought back many, many memories. It was done with lots of love and many tears."
This document should be considered a primary source reference for the dates shown.Photos 
The Charest Family, Descendants of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest
A family photograph of all nine children of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest. Taken during a family reunion in the early 1980s. This was the last time all nine children were together, as Margaret would pass several years later.
From Left to right, top row:
Rita, Noella, George, Lucille, Margaret
Second Row:
Clair, Joe, Armand, Theresa
Ildephonse Charest and Emilie Frechette
Ildephonse Charest and Emilie Frechette, unknown year taken. Possibly another photo taken on their wedding day.
Wedding Photo of Claire Charest and Leo Forand
Wedding photo of the Charest family at the wedding of Claire Charest and Leo Forand. From left to right:
Louis George Charest, __, __, __, __, __, __, __ .Family ID F1 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 WILKENS, Martha Hertha, b. 20 Oct 1927, Manhatten, New York City, New York , d. 1 Mar 2019, McMinnville, Tennessee (Age 91 years) Married 29 May 1955 Queens, New York Type: Catholic Chapel Divorced Mar 1972 Burlingham, New York Children 1. CHAREST, Ronald Armand + 2. CHAREST, Melinda Victoria + 3. CHAREST, Howard George 4. CHAREST, Jeffery Paul Documents 
Marriage Certificate of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
Marriage Certificate of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) CharestPhotos 
The Family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
The family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest. Taken on the wedding day of Ronald Charest's first wedding October 15, 1986. From left to right: Martha, Melinda, Ron (in uniform), Howard, Jeff, Armand. This was the last time the entire family was together.
Armand and his Three Sons
Armand Charest and his three sons at Christmas. Taken at the home of Howard and Pam Charest at Christmas, December 25, 2002.
Family Reunion of Martha (Charest) Wilkens Family
Family Reunion of Martha (Charest) Wilkens Family. Top Row:
- Howard Charest
- Ronald Charest
- Jeffery Charest
Bottom Row
- Martha (Charest) Wilkens
- Melinda (Fodor) Charest
The Descendants of Martha Wilkens and Armand Charest
The descendants of Martha Wilkens and Armand Charest; Their four children, children's spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Photo taken at a Christmas family reunion celebration December 24, 2014
Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens Wedding
Wedding Photo of Armand Charest and Martha Wilkens as they walked down the isle of the chapel
The Four Children of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
From left to right; Jeffery, Howard, Melinda, Ronald. Taken in Whittier, California (home of Howard and Pam) on 9 February 2004, after Armand Charest's funeral.
Armand Charest and Family
From left to right, back: Jeffery Charest, Pamela (Charest) [...], Howard Charest, Ronald Charest. Front; Armand Charest. Photo taken at Christmas, December 25, 2002. Armand had suffered a stroke earlier this year and was confined to a wheelchair as result.Videos 
Martha (Charest) Wilkens Memorial Tribute
This is a video made to honor the life of Martha (Charest) Wilkens. It was created by Josh Thompson, husband of Martha's granddaughters Renes Torrence, shortly after Martha's passing. This video features photographs taken throughout Martha's life, from early childhood until shortly before her passing. Created 15 march 2019, this is an 18:20 minute video so please allow a short period of time for loading.
Music Tracks:
- Earth Angel - Marvin Berry and the Starlighters
- Johnny Cash - Ballard of a Teenage Queen
- Who's Sorry Now - Connie Francis
- You Showed Me - The Turtles
- Imagine - John Lennon (Remastered)
- Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Simon and Garfunkel
- Don't You Forget About Me - Simple Minds
- Shooting Star - Bad Company
Last Modified 15 Jan 2019 Family ID F9 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 2 Diane Children 1. UNKNOWN LAST NAME, Jeffery Documents 
Confirmation Flyer for Ronald Charest
Confirmation flyer from St Luke's Lutheran Church, Farmingdale, Long Island, for the confirmation service that included Ronald Charest. St. Luke's Lutheran Church was the family church during the time they lived in Farmingdale. Armand (father) was Catholic and typically went to early Catholic service less than one mile away from St Luke's, then met the rest of the family for service at St Luke's. St Luke's also provided children's Sunday School classes and all the Charest children attended Sunday School prior to church service each Sunday. 2 May 1971Last Modified 15 Jan 2019 Family ID F48 Group Sheet | Family Chart
- Section 49A Site 4335
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Event Map 
Buried - 9 Feb 2004 - Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California 
= Link to Google Earth Pin Legend 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
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Documents 
Death Certificate of Armand Charest
Death Certificate of Armand Charest. Armand died February 3, 2004
Armand Charest's DD214 Certificate
Discharge document showing Armand Charest's record of service in the US Army during WWII, and honorable discharge.
Birth Certificate for Armand Charest
Copy of birth certificate for Armand Charest. Armand's birth name was Joseph Armand Gabriel Charest, but Armand never used his name "Joseph" in any legal document.
College Diploma Awarded To Armand Charest
One of Armand's lifelong dream was to earn his Bachelor's degree. On December 23, 1986, at the age of 62, Armand did earn his Bachelor of Arts in English, through California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Armand did earn an Associates of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering through Farmingdale Agricultural College in the mid-1960s. Armand was a Tool and Die Maker, and had hopes of getting into engineering work. However, Armand would later complain that holding an Associates actually hurt him in his career; His Associates Degree made him overqualified for some jobs and under-qualified for others.Certificate Of Excellence in Tutoring awarded to Armand Charest
After Armand's retirement as a tool and die maker, he worked part-time as an English language tutor through Palomar College Tutoring Center. His work continued until about 2002, when Armand suffered a stroke that left him half-paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, and requiring 24/7 nursing care. This certificate was awarded to Armand at conclusion of the 1998/1999 school year.
Wedding Announcement Armand and Martha (Charest) Wilkens
Newspaper announcement of the wedding of Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens. No date or newspaper information, but date would be sometime in 1955, location Queens, New York City, New York
Memoirs of Armand Charest Part I
Several years before Armand had his stroke which ultimately was fatal, he wrote some family history. This is part I in a three-part series.
Memoirs of Armand Charest, Part II
Several years before Armand had his stroke which ultimately was fatal, he wrote some family history. This is part II in a three-part series.
Memoirs of Armand Charest, Part III
Several years before Armand had his stroke which ultimately was fatal, he wrote some family history. This is part III in a three-part series.
Membership Card to Woonsocket Camera Club for Louis George Charest
A membership Card to Woonsocket Camera Club, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, for Louis George Charest. Dated 1954 - 1955. On the back are two handwritten phone numbers for "Martha" and "Armand." These are most likely Martha Wilkens and Armand Charest, as 1954-1955 a would be when they were engaged and making wedding arrangements.
Headstones 
Gravestone for Armand Charest
Gravestone for Armand Charest, Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California
Plot: Section 49A Site 4335
Photos Armand Charest
His last studio portrait, taken in the Spring of 2000 in Costa Mesa, California, where he was living in a senior citizen's center.
Armand Charest in Uniform.
Armand Charest in uniform. Taken at the end of his basic training in Texas, about December 1943.
Armand Charest and Emilie (Frechette) Charest
A photo of Armand Charest and his mother Emilie (Frechette) Charest. This photo appears to have been taken prior to Armand being drafted into the US Army, which makes the date sometime sometime between late 1942 to early 1943.
Armand Charest and Noella (Charest) Papangoes
Armand Charest and his sister Noella. Noella was a hair dresser who was able to earn her license in the early 1940s because of Armand. While Armand was in the Army he was sending his pay home into a saving account. Noella mentioned to Armand she wanted to become a hairdresser but didn't have the money to attend the school. Armand told her to use his Army money for her school and license. Noella never forgot his kindness and spoke of it often to Armand's children. This photo would have been taken sometime around the later half of the 1990s.
Wedding Photograph of Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens
Wedding Photograph of Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens, cutting their wedding cake. May 29, 1955The Charest Family, Descendants of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest
A family photograph of all nine children of Ildephonse and Emilie (Frenchette) Charest. Taken during a family reunion in the early 1980s. This was the last time all nine children were together, as Margaret would pass several years later.
From Left to right, top row:
Rita, Noella, George, Lucille, Margaret
Second Row:
Clair, Joe, Armand, TheresaThe Family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest
The family of Armand and Martha (Wilkens) Charest. Taken on the wedding day of Ronald Charest's first wedding October 15, 1986. From left to right: Martha, Melinda, Ron (in uniform), Howard, Jeff, Armand. This was the last time the entire family was together.Armand Charest and Martha (Charest) Wilkens Wedding
Wedding Photo of Armand Charest and Martha Wilkens as they walked down the isle of the chapel
Family Picture of Extended Fodor Family
A family picture of the extended Fodor family with other members of the extended Charest family. From top left: Pamela ( ) Charest, Armand Charest, Melinda (Fodor) Charest, Ronald Charest, Lazlo FodorArmand Charest and Family
From left to right, back: Jeffery Charest, Pamela (Charest) [...], Howard Charest, Ronald Charest. Front; Armand Charest. Photo taken at Christmas, December 25, 2002. Armand had suffered a stroke earlier this year and was confined to a wheelchair as result.
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Notes - Armand and Ardian Paquin were close childhood friends, and the two served in sister companies in the US Army during WWII in Pacific campaigns. In Armand's memoirs, he talks at one point about desperately searching for Adrian after a combat engagement with Japanese forces, in which Adrian's company was decimated.