Charles A. Bechard, 105, Nashua native and former Alderman, passed away peacefully Friday evening, May 3, 2024.
Born in Nashua on December 10, 1918, he was a son of the late Joseph T. and Laura (Gilbert) Bechard. Educated in local schools, Charles was a member of the Nashua High School Class of 1934. He was a compassionate and devout man with a strong sense of duty to God, family and country. Charles served in the United States Army, 126th Army Airways Communication System Squadron from 1942 to 1946. Mr. Bechard was deployed to the Pacific Theatre (China, Burma (Myanmar), and India (Pakistan). He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on February 19, 1946. In the Army Air Corps, he was assigned to a team tasked with training allied pilots to fly US warplanes in defense of their country. He served as the team air traffic control, radio communications and meteorology specialist.
Charles and his three brothers (Albert, Arthur and Robert) proudly and honorably served their country in US Military overseas deployments during World War II. All four returned home safely. A banner honoring their service will be displayed on the Veterans Memorial Parkway in Nashua this summer. His Army training and experience sparked a life-long interest in meteorology and astronomy – he would sometimes use his training and experience to develop weather forecasts for anticipated major weather events (snowstorms, thunderstorm outbreaks, etc.) comparing his predicted outcomes to those of professional meteorologists.
An avid follower of local, national and world events, Charles often would offer deep insights based on his long experience of life. After all, he had personally experienced many events which were only available to the rest of us in history books. He enjoyed walking outdoors for exercise and to provide the opportunity to meet people.
His long experience as a United States Postal Service Letter Carrier in Nashua from 1956 to 1985 had accustomed him to long days walking outdoors in the service of others. In his retirement, he often walked several miles per day all over Nashua, greeting people and exchanging a few kind words along the way. Prior to working for the postal service, Charles was employed with Nashua Wholesale Fruit, Inc. (1946-54) where he met his future wife. Annette. He also worked at Champagne’s Super Market (1954-56).
Charles served the City of Nashua as Alderman from Ward Six (1970-74) for two terms. He was a communicant of St. Louis de Gonzague Parish from 1918-1977 and Immaculate Conception Parish from 1977 -2024.
Members of his family include his wife of 73 years, Annette L. (Perrault) Bechard, whom he married on May 21, 1951; a son, Maurice J. Bechard and his wife, Diane M. (Coutu) of Nashua; sister-in-law, Angele Bechard of Nashua; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Charles was predeceased by his son, Paul A. Bechard; three brothers, five sisters and their spouses, Arthur Bechard, Robert and Gertrude Bechard, Albert and Jeanne d’Arc Bechard, Lea and Roland Jean, Irene and Wilfred Bois, Theresa and Rene Tremblay, Rita and Laurent Noel and Rachel and Rene Othot.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 216 East Dunstable Road, Nashua, Tuesday, May 14th at 11 a.m. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10 o’clock. Interment and Army Honors will take place in the Old St. Louis Cemetery. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralserivce.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.
