Donald J. Charland

Donald J. Charland, 81, of Eton Street passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning at BSMC in Palmer, his loving family by his side. Don was born in Holyoke, growing up he attended the former Precious Blood High School and after graduating, matriculated at University of Montreal, graduating with a degree in Theology and as Salutatorian of his class. He later received his master’s degree in education and began a long and fulfilling career in teaching. Don worked in the Enfield Public School system over 30 years, teaching Latin and French. He was Head of the Language department and retired in 1999. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Elder Council 69 in Chicopee. Don loved listening to old time music and was unofficially known as DJ Don at Orchard Valley at Wilbraham where he convalesced. While at Orchard valley, Don organized all the albums, cassettes, and compact discs alphabetically and by genre, hundreds of them! Don loved to spend time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews, always joking around with them. The family would like to especially thank Orchard Valley at Wilbraham for taking such amazing care of Donald for the last couple of years. Don leaves his siblings; Ernest Charland and his wife Gloria and Thomas Charland and his wife Joyce, all of Chicopee. His niece, Melanie and her husband Arthur Boutin of Chicopee and nephew Colonel Jason Charland and his wife Monica of Fairfax, VA. and many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nephews and nieces. THE FAMILY INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024 AT 10:00 A.M. DIRECTLY AT STE. ROSE DE LIMA CHURCH, 600 GRATTAN ST., ALDENVILLE TO CELEBRATE A LITURGY OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL FOR DONALD. BURIAL WILL FOLLOW IN CALVARY CEMETERY IN CHICOPEE. In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Donald’s memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105