Gerard entered into eternal life on July 3, 2026 at age 74, following an arduous journey with pulmonary fibrosis. He was in the loving presence of his wife and daughter.
He was born in Windsor, and was the son of the late Robert and Patricia (nee Kehoe) Charette. He was the devoted husband of 51 years to Mary Anne (nee Kaszas) Charette. Loving father to Aimee Charette. Dear brother to Theresa McGregor (Frank) (the late Harry), Mary Gretes (the late Jim), Michael Charette (the late Carmella), and John Charette, the late Tom Charette (the late Anita), the late Bob Charette (Cathy). Beloved son-in-law to Elvina Kaszas (the late Bill), brother-in-law to Julie Anne Blumas (Ron), and treasured friend of Michelle and Bob Marchand. He will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, and numerous valued friends and colleagues.
Gerard was a lifelong learner with many educational and professional accomplishments, including but not limited to: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Windsor, 1974, a Law degree (LL.B) from the University of Windsor, 1977, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from the University of Windsor, 2002, Master of Theology (MA) from Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, 2020. As recently as 2025, Gerard was enrolled in the Art History Specialist Program at the University of Toronto, and he completed over three years of the four year program. In his professional life, he was an established and respected member of the legal profession, with special expertise in taxation law. Gerard was an attorney with the internationally recognized firm Miller Canfield LLP until his retirement. In 2009, he was ordained as a Permanent Deacon of the Diocese of London. His diaconal ministry was spent at St. Alphonsus Parish in Windsor. Gerard was a member of the Law Society of Ontario, a member of the Ontario College of Teachers, and a member of the Windsor chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Gerard also started a Montessori-based religious education program for young children, and a men’s ministry group at St. Alphonsus Parish.
Among his final accomplishments, Gerard devoted much time and energy to the study of religious art. He was particularly passionate about the study of religious art and its relationship to the formation and ministry of deacons in the Catholic Church. An article Gerard wrote on this topic, Angels and Deacons in Religious Art, was published in the September/October 2024 issue of The Deacon. As a culmination of this work, Gerard developed an educational teaching video for diaconal students which has been acquired and distributed by the Josephinium Diaconate Institute, Colombus, OH.
In 2023, Gerard was diagnosed with a life-altering disease called pulmonary fibrosis. He met this challenge with courage, perseverance, and a Herculean effort to complete his life’s work. While always embracing God’s plan for him, he found great solace in the life of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes. He shared Saint Bernadette’s story with his friends and family. In his final months, Gerard distributed many copies of The Song of Bernadette, a novel by Franz Werfel, as a gift for those who wish to read it. There will be a number of copies of this book available at the visitation.
His family, friends, and the many people he touched, will profoundly miss Gerard. May hope and comfort be found in the knowledge that he is in the loving presence of God.
The family will receive friends on Friday, July 10, 2026 at Janisse Funeral Home, 1139 Ouellette Avenue from 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm, and parish prayers will be at 7:30 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday July 11, 2026 at 11am at St. Alphonsus Church, 85 Park Street East, Windsor, ON.
A private family burial will then take place at St. Joseph Parish Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Gerard may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Home of Windsor, St. Alphonsus Church, or a charity of your choice.