Charles Edward Letourneau

Charles E. Letourneau, CDR, USN (Ret)
May 27, 1937-February 17, 2014

Charles (Charlie) Letourneau, 76, of Minnesott Beach passed away at home on Monday, February 17, 2014. He was born on May 27, 1937, in Orleans, Vermont, a son of George L. and Marguerite James Letourneau.

Charlie served his country admirably in the Navy and beginning in 1955 he completed seven years of enlisted service as a Chief Petty Officer (Submarine Qualified) and 18 years of commissioned service as a Commander. His enlisted career started as a radioman on submarines and included subsequent assignments with the Naval Security Group at the American Embassy in Cyprus and the NSA. His officer career included six years as a Surface Warfare Officer on destroyers and destroyer squadron staffs and four years as a Qualified Naval Aviator in EA3B/A3 Squadrons. He served in combat in the Gulf of Tonkin and in-country Viet Nam and Thailand. In 1975 he completed his undergraduate degree and completed his final tour of duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon in 1979.

He went on to obtain his Master’s Degree and had a long successful career providing direct management of highly classified projects for several large military contractors traveling the world extensively.

He spoke five languages fluently.

Charlie was an avid sailor, fisherman and gardener. He and his wife Shirley cruised the East Coast and the Bahamas extensively on their sailboats making lifelong friends along the way and experiencing great adventures.

Charlie was a proud member of the U.S.S. Norris Association, U.S.S. Gearing Association, the CYPRUS Group, The Neuse River Fishing Club, and the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association.

He was very proud of his children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews and loved them dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Gerard Letourneau and Leopauld J. Letourneau.

His loving wife Shirley, of Minnesott Beach survives Charlie as do his son, Andrew Letourneau of Maryland; daughter, Celeste Letourneau of Delaware; step-daughter, Pamela Altman of Montana; step-son, Steven Varner of Alabama; brother, Alfred Letourneau of Missouri; six grandchildren, Rhea Leath, Julian Leath, Bryan Letourneau, Sean Letourneau, Logan Altman and Parker Altman; and numerous extended family members.
A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Scott Fitzgerald officiating.

The family will receive friends and relatives one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warriors Program, 4200 Morganton Rd. Suite 300, Fayetteville, NC 28314.