Obituary of Edward C. Charbonneau

Edward Clement Charbonneau, of Saratoga Springs, NY, quietly passed away on July 26, 2023, joining his beloved spouse, Florence Georgette Laverdiere Charbonneau, in their heavenly home.

 “Ed,” who was 98 years young, was born in Cohoes, NY, and married his beloved spouse in St. Joseph’s Church on October 7, 1944. After relocating to their one-time camp on Fish Creek in Saratoga Springs in the early 1970s, Ed then retired fromNYSDOTas Drill Supervisor, Bureau of Soil Mechanics. The Saratoga Springs address remained their home where, during their 64-year marriage, they continued sharing many years of adventures in hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and traveling.

During his lifetime, he had many cherished titles: To his family, he was son, brother, or husband. As time passed, he added the title of “Dad” to two daughters, Denise (Donald) Tefoe Sr. of Rexford and Sandy (Clark) Dalzell of Saratoga Springs; “Pépère” to four grandchildren, Donald Tefoe Jr. of Rotterdam, Michelle Tefoe of Clifton Park, Eric C. Dalzell (deceased), Peter Dalzell, and a great-granddaughter, Alaina Dalzell. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Ed” to many natural and honorary nieces and nephews; to Navy brethren and friends, he was often called “Charb” or “Eddie;” and to his cherished spouse, he was always called “Pitou.”

His early life in Cohoes held many adventures with his brothers. As a young boy raised during the Depression, he could often be found “frogging” and fishing with his brother Frank to help provide food, having improvised a “cistern” in their basement to keep their catch fresh until needed. In 1940, he enrolled in, and was honorably discharged from, the Civilian Conservation Corps, Camp S-93, Middleburg, NY. At age 17, he proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor and was honorably discharged on December 4, 1945, having attained the rank of Boatswain’s Mate Second Class. Ed enjoyed recounting his many “adventures” during his Navy years, including being stationed in the Mojave Desert where airplanes were tested overhead; to being assigned to blimps in “Lighter Than Air” following enemy submarines and releasing depth charges; to his chance meetings with brothers Larry (USAF) and Frank (USN) in New York City; and to enjoying USO shows in California, shaking hands with John Wayne and Rodney Dangerfield.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he began several businesses - his first being to rebuild a REO truck for hire. He later built their first home using lumber and nails from a torn down building. Ed was a self-made man who never found an obstacle he could not climb, nor a goal he failed to reach.

Ed was predeceased by his beloved spouse, Florence; his parents, Narcisse (“Pip”) and Eva (“Mim”) Lacombe Charbonneau; his siblings, Lawrence G. Charbonneau, Francis L. Charbonneau and Leo “Hack” Charbonneau; and his grandson, Eric Clark Dalzell.

Relatives and friends may call on Monday, July 31, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. at Flynn Brothers Funeral Home, 13 Gates Ave. Ext., Schuylerville, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 10 a.m., at Notre Dame-Visitation Church, 18 Pearl St., Schuylerville,.Interment will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to USS Slater DE-766, PO Box 1926, Albany, New York 12201-1926 in memory of Ed’s beloved brother, “Hack,” who also served in the U.S. Navy, and so generously volunteered his time in the restoration of the USS Slater.

Ed and Florence touched the lives of countless people and became treasured friends to every person they met. To we who mourn his passing, always remember the example of the timeless love they shared ... and that they are now and forever “together again.”