Obituary of Brother Jerome Charbonneau

Bro. Jerome (Jerry) Charbonneau, mccj (11/7/1929 - 1/28/2014) Born in Walkerville, Ontario, CA in 1929 Bro. Jerry Charbonneau joined the Comboni Missionaries (then known as Verona Fathers) in Cincinnati, OH in 1948 as a novice and later spent two years in Verona, Italy, as a student. To this day he was the only Canadian Brother to be a member of the Comboni Missionaries. Bro. Jerry served in many capacities in various Comboni communities in the United States and received his first mission assignment in 1967. He spent his next 7 years in Uganda, first as assistant and driver to the bishop of Gulu and then as assistant to the provincial treasurer in Kampala. By the end of 1974 Bro. Jerry was in Asmara, Eritrea helping as school administrator until he became diocesan treasurer in Awassa, Ethiopia. By the middle of 1979, Bro. Jerry was called back to the North American Province where he devoted himself to mission promotion, both in Canada and in the United States. In 1986, Bro. Jerry was assigned another tour of duty in the foreign missions and went to Kenya, where he worked for five years in Kariobangi, one of Nairobi's largest slum areas. There he was instrumental in building a large high school that has expanded and still thrives. Having returned to the North American Province in 1993, Bro. Jerry gave himself again to mission promotion. 1993 to 1995 he was in Kitchener Community as mission educator, until his rapidly failing health forced his retirement in 1996. Bro. Jerry celebrated the 60th anniversary of his temporary vows in 2011. One of his favorite memories to share was the day he met Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He is predeceased by his parents Leon and Marilda and is survived by his sister, Theresa Labute, niece Margaret Ann McGhie and several great nieces and nephews. Special thanks to all of the staff at Trinity Village for their patience, dedication and care. Friends are invited to share their memories of Brother Jerry with his family during visitation at St. Joseph R.C. Church 148 Madison Ave S., Kitchener, on Monday February 3, 2014 from 10-11 am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, Father Tom Vermiglio as Celebrant. Reception to follow. On Tuesday Feb. 4, 2014 a prayer service will be lead by Fr. Brian Quigley in the Chapel of Village of Aspen Lake. Family and friends are welcome to attend at 1pm and interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Windsor. Condolences for the family and donations to Comboni Missionaries, may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519.745.8445.