OBITUARY

Donald Arthur Chartier passed away Monday, March 24, 2008 at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids.

Don was born in Cloquet, Minnesota on September 15, 1933, the youngest of eight children .He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Rita Chartier, a brother, Gerald Chartier, and sister, Phyllis Quinn.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Haitema Chartier; his children, Dorene Chartier and husband, Brad Shasteen, and Dave and Jackie Chartier and his sisters: Merle Olson, Carol Lichter, Marion Westlund, Maxine Parker and Pat Johnson and eight grandchildren.

He attended Catholic schools and was baptized in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Cloquet where he was an altar boy for many years. He served in the Navy from 1953-1957, as an Electrician’s Mate First Class. After his discharge he entered Dunwoody Technical Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota majoring in electronics. He was recruited by IBM upon graduation working as a customer engineer in Chicago. His time with IBM spanned 30 years and included financial and executive advisory planning both domestically and abroad. After 30 years with IBM Don retired into his second career running a successful electrical company on the lake. He then began his third career of caring for others through his volunteer efforts. He was always a doer, fixer and planner; skills that were indispensable in many community projects.

As a founding member and driving force behind the Warren County Habitat for Humanity, his diligence and the efforts of other volunteers have allowed six families to enjoy their own homes.

Another of Don’s passions was the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. He initiated the Eaton Ferry AARP Relay for Life team and provided the impetus for their successful fund raising, earning him the AARP North Carolina Legacy Award in October 2007.

He also found time to volunteer his time at the Lakeland Theater sharing his electrical expertise for several years thereby enhancing the enjoyment of countless patrons.

Don celebrated his birthday every year from 2003-2007 swimming the same number of laps as his age. Even after his two bouts with cancer he swam 74 laps. He felt that his efforts could serve as an inspiration to others to overcome adversity.

Services are being handled by the Blaylock Funeral Home of Littleton. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 27th from  6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection will be held at Saint Alban’s Church Friday, March 28th at 11 am, followed by interment in Sunset Hill Cemetery and a reception starting at 12:30 at the Methodist Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations: St. Albans Episcopal Church, 300 Moby Avenue, Littleton; Eaton Ferry Road AARP Relay for Life, c/o Mel Chaffin, 319 Myrick East Road, Littleton or Warren County Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 413, Warrenton, 27589.