John (Jean-Marie) Delphis Charbonneau

Mr. John (Jean-Marie) Delphis Charbonneau, age 85, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina passed away Thursday, November 27, 2014 at NHC Healthcare of Sparta, Tennessee, following an extended illness. Mr. Charbonneau was born Dec. 8, 1928 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as Jean-Marie Delphis Charbonneau, to the late Rene Charbonneau and Albina Choiniere Charbonneau. Jean-Marie was one of 13 children. At age 14, along with school, Jean-Marie had to support himself and started working at a maple sugar shack, and also at a local farm when it was not maple sugaring time. He also learned construction as an apprentice to his uncle and built his first home at the age of 18, totally by himself. He always believed in helping people and if someone needed carpentry work and did not have the money, he would do the work free of charge. At the age of 20, Jean-Marie also became a skilled hockey player and won a trophy while he played the position of goalie. As a young man, he even sang in his church’s choir. Jean-Marie also took college classes majoring in theology, and was the youngest student there, having had advanced 2 grades in school. At the age of 21, he also became a tool design engineer for Creswell in Granby, Quebec, Canada; and during this time, survived an attack of meningitis. Wanting to advance himself, Jean-Marie moved to the United States in 1957, and 5 years later, became a United States citizen, changing his name to John Delphis Charbonneau. He had taught himself the English language, and resided in the state of Connecticut where he spent most of his life. He continued to excel as he became a tool design engineer for Burndy Corp. in CT, and later, as a self-employed architectural designer, custom home builder and contractor; designing and building countless structures. As he aged, John loved to eat healthy and exercise daily, and even took up dancing and rollerblading. He continued his love of reading and learning, and always enjoyed a good card game. John was a man of integrity with a loving, forgiving, and gentle spirit; always thankful for God’s blessings. He was always a hard worker, very intelligent, had a great sense of humor, loved life, and loved his family and friends. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Mr. Charbonneau is survived by his children; Christiane Scalzo of Homestead, FL; Joanne Stuart (husband Millard) of Hilham, TN; Susan Holmes (husband Ted) of Lancaster, PA; Daniel Charbonneau of Lititz, PA; Wendy Mucinski of Pittsfield, MA; and John Charbonneau (wife Natasha) of Brooklyn, NY. He is also survived by one sister, Gisele Beausejour (husband Gerald) of Ruxpond, Quebec, Canada, and two brothers; Gerard Charbonneau of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec, Canada and Julien Charbonneau (wife Claire) of Granby, Quebec, Canada. In addition, John is survived by eleven grandchildren; Charles Scalzo of Danbury, CT; Jeb Stuart (wife Charity) of Cookeville, TN; Lauren Stutler (husband Clayton), Emily Buck (husband Robert), and Rebecca Holmes, all of Lancaster, PA; Daniel Charbonneau and James Charbonneau, both of Torrington, CT; Michael Charbonneau (wife Angelica) of Providence, RI; Christina Mucinski-Gargon and Joseph Mucinski, both of Pittsfield, MA; and Alex Charbonneau of Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Charbonneau also leaves five great-grandchildren; Jayden Buck, Saxon Stutler, Mariah Charbonneau, Julian Charbonneau, and Ty Mucinski. A Memorial Service for Mr. Charbonneau will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014; 3:00 p.m. at the Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 44 East Orange Street, Lititz, PA 17543. You may call the church for further information at 717-626-2175.