On Monday, February 22, 2022, Clarence Richard Ducharme passed away in his home in Alberton Township at the age of 87.
Clarence, Corky as he was affectionately known for most of his life, was born on his family’s farm in Crozier, Ontario on November 9, 1934. He was the only child Annie May (Westover-Perry) and Albert Ducharme had together but was the youngest sibling of the Ducharme-Perry blended family which included seven Ducharme and six Perry siblings. He grew up on the family farm just outside Fort Frances, Ontario and attended Fort Frances High School. Clarence was proud of his middle name, Richard, as it was his grandfather’s name of whom he was very fond and had many great memories of time spent together on his grandparent’s farm in Barwick, Ontario.
After his father’s death in 1953, Clarence moved with his mother to Miscampbell to live with Clarence’s older brother, Leopold. Clarence helped his brother work the farm while completing school. He later moved to Atikokan for a time to work for the Steep Rock Iron Mine, before moving back to the family farm on Ducharme Road in Crozier. He loved to travel and experience the world, sometimes for several years at a time, but always returned to the Fort Frances area which he considered his home.
Clarence married Laurel Wall in November 1957. They had three sons: twin boys Mark and Todd, with Barry following just one year later. Clarence and Laurel adopted Tracey, their daughter, to complete their family. Clarence operated the family farm in Crozier and worked at the Shop Easy in Fort Frances to support his family. After losing his cattle herd to disease he was approached by a salesman of Sun Life Insurance and he became interested in selling insurance. Laurel worked for Gillon’s Insurance in Fort Frances. He moved his family to his home at 62 King Street in Emo built by Nuwood Products, a business Clarence coowned with Dennis Degagne and Albert Schulzki. Clarence bought into an insurance agency becoming Ducharme’s Insurance Agency. Clarence later studied to be an appraiser and after a course in Toronto, added Real Estate to his business adventures. Clarence also operated a hobby honey farm, known as Bee Bar Bee, and sold honey throughout the district. His years in Emo were happy ones even becoming Mayor for a term. Clarence enjoyed taking his family to their cabin on Rainy Lake, building and improving the cabin there and spending time with family. He was a very social person and loved to “shoot the breeze” with friends, old and new alike.
Clarence was not a man slowed down by age and his later years were as busy as those of his youth. His daughter, Aurelle Stoessinger, was born in 1988 just before Clarence retired from the insurance business around 1990. He moved back home to his farm in Crozier and became interested in uses for the peat moss that could be found on his farm. This interest led him to venture in search of customers who had use of peat moss, taking him as far as Mexico. He loved the country and stayed for 6 years. He had many adventures in Mexico before once again returning home to the ancestral family farm on Ducharme Road in Crozier.
In recent years, fate took the burden of the farm away from Clarence, and he was fortunate to find a home and work at Nor-Fab for Mel Degagne. There he was satisfied to fill his days with work and meditation. He still enjoyed “wheeling and dealing” and was busy with many projects. As a life-long entrepreneur and dreamer, Clarence never lived like he was in the twilight years of his life. He was full of zest and zingers and intended to live “until I’m 120!”. He was known for his salutations, often saying, “Have a fantastablastic day!” His final farewell to friends, family and acquaintances was evidence of this; “Have a fabulous life! Promise?”
Clarence will be greatly missed by his son Mark (Ella) Ducharme; son Barry Ducharme; daughter Aurelle Goodmanson; grandchildren Max, Daniel, Heather, Scott, Ian, Kamryn, Khloe, Isaiah, Alistair, Emily, Brittany, Amber, Christopher, Theo, and Emmett. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and numerous great-grandchildren.
Clarence is greatly missed by his Love Lois Molt whom he first met in Albian Nebraska in 2005. Clarence returned to Crozier but kept contact with Lois by phone often talking several times a day, every day sometimes just checking on each other and on other times the most personal of conversations. Dad, of course would share his adventures, yarns, stories, devotionals, poetry, and dreams. Lois was a trusted confidNorthriant, great conversationalist, and their love for each other made life worth living.
Clarence is missed by Mel Degagne the owner and proprietor of Norfab in Crozier. Clarence was the On-site “Shop Guy” starting the work day “coffeeing” with Mel solving the worlds problems and dissecting life. The relationship was mutual as Clarence would take care of the place and Mel would take care of Clarence; his errands, shopping, banking, anything he need even down to sound advice looking out for Clarence’s well being. Mel Degagne was essentialy “Love your neighbor” and “ His brother’s keeper” personified for years in the stead of blood family.
Clarence is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Annie May; children Todd Ducharme and Tracey Ducharme; grandson Bill Kowbluk and daughter-in-law Darlyne (Dee). He is preceded by his Ducharme siblings; Orise Roy, Conrad, Valderaise Clarkson, Corine O’Connell-Brooks, Leopold, Odo, and Iver. And his Perry siblings; George, Mary (Kip) Ducharme, Marjorie (Midge) Johnson, Lloyd, Stanley (Joe), and June Hughes.
The Ducharme family would like to especially thank Mel Degagne for the friendship and care he gave to Clarence. Mr. Degagne is true example of the Commandment “Love your neighbor as yourself” running Clarence on errands, supporting him in his care, and being more than a son to him. The family is eternally grateful for the continual contributions Mr. Degagne invested in Clarence.
Funeral services for Clarence Ducharme is planned for May 28, 2022, 2 p.m. at the Emo Royal Canadian Legion.