William Harold Ducharme

William (Bill) Ducharme, 92, of Pennington, NJ passed away on May 19, 2022. The son of William H. and Clarissa (LaPorte) Ducharme, Bill grew up in Worcester, MA with three siblings. He attended Assumption College and University of Vermont where he discovered his interest in the sciences and later attended the New England Institute of Anatomy Sanitary Science and Embalming. Subsequently, he worked as a laboratory technician on the team led by Dr. Gregory Pincus at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology developing the first contraceptive pill. It was there that he met his future wife Norah Fahey, a fellow laboratory technician. He later had a long and storied career at Fisher Scientific Company eventually retiring as their VP of Marketing. He then went on to become the VP of Marketing for the Hartwick Leadership Institute which conducted corporate leadership seminars based on classical literature.
Bill was an avid skier into his 70's and tennis player into his 80's but his true love was flight. After convincing the owner of a biplane to give him a ride at the age of 8, he couldn't take his eyes off the sky. As a teenager he volunteered for the civil air patrol and eventually earned his pilot's license, which he kept current through the age of 91, making him one of the oldest licensed pilots in the state of NJ. Affectionately known within the family as 'Mr. Bill', he loved his extended family, loved learning about new developments and technology. and loved talking and engaging with everyone he met, especially his grandsons, nieces and nephews. He trained and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in custody cases and enjoyed fellowship at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Pennington.
Bill was predeceased by two infant daughters, Mary (1962) and Pauline (1963), his beloved wife Norah in 2009, and his siblings Ronald Ducharme and Therese Dayutis. He is survived by his sister Jeanne Carter of Massachusetts, Jeannine Haight (Roger) of Pennington, Paul Ducharme (Stacy) of Pennington, two grandsons Devin Ducharme of Hoboken and Spencer Ducharme of Pennington, and numerous New England nieces and nephews.
Burial will be private, with a memorial service to be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or Assumption College.
The family would like to thank Brandywine Senior Living, VITAS Hospice Service and Springpoint At Home for the excellent care they gave to Bill.