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Lasting Legacy

Lasting Legacy


Beloved Jesuit High School English teacher Ernie Charette ’63 was celebrated at Convocation on April 20. After 45 years as a member of the Jesuit faculty, and 48 years in teaching, Charette is retiring after this school year.

Dozens of former students and colleagues attended the Convocation, watching from the perimeter of St. Anthony’s Chapel, and then joining Charette afterward at a reception in the cafeteria.

Charette spoke last at the Convocation, following Jesuit president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J., faculty member Carmelo LoSauro ’10, and Charette’s Jesuit colleague for more than four decades, Joe Sabin ’66. (Video of all four speakers is below.)

Fr. Hermes characterized Charette as a "Jesuit institution" who had a "legendary career," and said Charette is the second-longest tenured Jesuit faculty member ever, behind only Fr. Richard G. Hartnett, S.J.

LoSauro credited Charette for instilling a love of English and literature when he took Charette’s class as a junior at Jesuit. But more than that, Charette’s humor and humanity - and bottomless well of tiger ties - left a lasting imprint on LoSauro and generations of Tigers. 

Sabin then turned the tables on Charette. Last year at this time, Sabin retired after 44 years at Jesuit, and Charette spoke at Sabin’s retirement Convocation. Sabin and Charette both started teaching on Himes Ave. in the fall of 1971, and Sabin traced their friendship through the decades.

Charette then spoke, balancing heartfelt, poignant remarks with his trademark dry wit, and receiving a rousing standing ovation.  

Charette, who is a former moderator of the school newspaper and for many years has moderated The Tiger yearbook, will remain at Jesuit for several weeks after the conclusion of the school year to help with the yearbook.

Charette’s stepson, Alexander Therrien ’05, is an alumnus, and for many years Charette worked at Jesuit with his wife, Eileen Charette, who was a counselor at the school. They intend to vacation soon in Hawaii; Ernie Charette said his parents were in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and survived the Japanese attack, and he has always wanted to visit.

Charette announced his retirement on his Facebook page on Friday, and there has been an outpouring of gratitude and congratulations in response.

View a photo slideshow below from Wednesday’s Convocation, as well as video of the speakers: Charette, Sabin, LoSauro, and Fr. Hermes.






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