Rev. Msgr. William R. Charbonneau
Deceased: 2010-05-05
Diocese: HARTFORD
Seminary Graduation Year: 1973
Monsignor William R. Charbonneau, a Brigadier General in the Connecticut Air National Guard, 61, of South Windsor, formerly of Manchester, died Wednesday (May 5, 2010), at Francis Hospital. Born in Norwich, July 28, 1948, he was the son of the late William R. Charbonneau, Sr. and Mildred E. (Jalowski) Charbonneau. Msgr. Bill was a member of the first graduating class of East Catholic High School. He was a graduate of St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, St. John Seminary (B.A. Philosophy), Brighton, MA, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy (Bachelor of Sacred Theology) and University of Hartford (Masters of Education). He was ordained July 2, 1973, at St. Peter’s Basilica,Rome,Italy. Following his ordination Msgr. Bill served as a parochial vicar atSt. John of theCrossChurch, Middlebury, as a member of the faculty at South Catholi cHigh School, Hartford, as Vice Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School,New Britain, and as Principal and President of East Catholic High School,Manchester. Msgr. Bill was commissioned as a Chaplain in the Connecticut Air National Guard in November 1979, and served as Catholic Chaplain at Westover AFB,Westover,MA (AFRES). In March 1981, he joined the CT Air National Guard where he served as Installation Staff Chaplain and Wing Chaplain until he was assigned to the National Guard Bureau in July 1986. Pope John Paul II named him a Chaplain to His Holiness with the title of Monsignor in 2002. Msgr. Bill served as Chaplain, Deputy Chief and Chief of the Air National Guard. Throughout his career with the military Msgr. Bill was promoted several times most recently becoming a Brigadier General (CT) on Saturday (May 1, 2010). He received many awards and decorations, including, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, the National Defense Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Some of Monsignor’s fondest memories of his military service were his trips toGermany where he spent countless hours with the injured, and his trips toAntarctica. Hockey was a passion with Msgr. Bill. He was so proud of his time as team chaplain with the Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques. He is survived by his sisters Diane Kristof and her husband Joe of Lehigh Acres, FL, and Joan Winters and her husband Adam of Ogunquit, ME. Msgr. Bill’s body will lie in state at St. James Church on Monday (May 10, 2010) from 3-7 p.m. On Tuesday, (May 11, 2010) Archbishop Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, will be the principal celebrant for the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Church, 896 Main St., Manchester, followed by burial in St. James Cemetery, Manchester. The John F. Tierney Funeral Home,Manchester, has care of the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the East Catholic High School Athletic Department 115 New State Road Manchester, CT 06042 or St. James School Foundation PO Box 254Manchester, CT 06045. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.
