Ronald W. Chartrand, 89
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Ronald Walter Chartrand, 89, of Kingsbury, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, after a courageous two-year battle with renal cancer.
Ronald was born in North Adams on Oct. 18, 1932, the son of the late Doreen Belleau Chartrand and Oswald Chartrand.
An entrepreneur, he began his career as a paperboy at the age of 8 until 18. He started his first business, Chartrand Auto Wrecking, at the young age of 17. A Korean War veteran, he enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served aboard the USS Briareus. Upon his discharge from the Navy until his death, Ronald continued to be a successful business owner, real estate investor, and stock market investor.
He was a licensed car dealer for more than 60 years, owning and operating numerous used-car lots. Ron was an astute stock and options trader and had a vast knowledge of corporate America.
In his early years, Ron was a drummer in his father's band. He was an avid pilot and especially loved flying his Beechcraft Musketeer (2355 Juliet). His other hobbies included spending time with his family and traveling with them to Florida and Maine. He also loved spending time working on his beloved "airport property" that he was well known for parking cars and RVs on for more than 45 years during the Adirondack Balloon Festival.
Ron was an amazing, interesting man, a devoted father and grandfather, and will be dearly missed by everyone.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his life-partner Grace Ross Chartrand, and his brother-in-law, Nelson Dunn. He was also predeceased by several of Grace's siblings including his dear friends Jerry "Jumbo" Ross and Matilda "Tilly" Ringer.
Ronald is survived by his daughters Carolyn and Rhonda Chartrand; his son, Anthony Poulos and his wife, Sandra; his granddaughters Jacquelyn White and her husband, Nathanial, Stephanie Hamel and her husband, Aaron; and his great-grandchildren Evelyn and Layla Hamel and Lake and Lincoln White. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Dunn; his niece and nephews Dennis Dunn, Richard Dunn, Nancy Dunn and Nelson Dunn; Grace's sisters Isabel Woodcock and Shirley Griffen; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He is also survived by a daughter who found him later in life, Margot Sheldon Carmassi, and her daughters Katy and Lyndsey and their children.
The family would like to thank High Peaks Hospice for all of their care and support especially Maura and CarrieAnn. We would also like to thank Paul, Karen and Melissa from Karen's Care and Dona Snow Gall for all of their support and care at the end of Ron's life.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at noon at St. Mary's Church, 62 Warren St., Glens Falls, N.Y. The family requests all in attendance please wear a mask while in church. Burial will take place at a later date in North Adams. The family would like any donations to be made to High Peaks Hospice, 454 Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801.
Arrangements are under the care of Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury, N.Y.; those who wish may make online condolences at sbfuneralhome.com.