Clarence Bachand

CHARLTON – Clarence A. Bachand, 99, of Turner Road, died peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2022, with his family by his side.  He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Agnes T. (Prunier) Bachand of Charlton; five children, Eva Parzych and her husband Stanley of Charlton, Rebecca Bachand of Charlton, James Bachand and his wife Linda of Northbridge, David Bachand and his wife Jody of Charlton, and Brian Bachand and his wife Nancy of Charlton; a brother, Claude Bachand of Murrells Inlet, SC; a sister, Joyce Lyons of Bull Head City, AZ; seven grandchildren, James Bachand and his wife Linda of Webster, Erik Parzych and his wife Stacey of Sturbridge, Kristin Hildebrand and her husband Adam of North Adams, Matthew Bachand and his wife Courtney of Charlton, Meghan LaPlante and her husband Justin of Charlton, Daniel Bachand of Charlton, and Jacob Bachand of Charlton; ten great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.  He was predeceased by five siblings, Doris Newlands, Phyllis Kelly, Shirley Lubecki, Stanley Bachand, and Donald Bachand; and a granddaughter, Laura Bachand.  He was born in Worcester, son of the late Arthur and Mabel (Stanhope) Bachand, and lived in Southbridge before moving to Charlton in 1960.  He attended Cole Trade School in Southbridge.

Mr. Bachand was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.  He joined the Army in 1943, belonging to the Army Corp of Engineers 284th Engineer Combat Battalion.  He participated in the Battle of the Bulge.  Later, he helped form the first V.F.W. in Charlton and was a member of the American Legion Post 391 for over 50 years.

In October of 2017, Clarence, escorted by Mikel Shilling (son of PFC Kenneth Shilling who served with Clarence), returned to Luxembourg, Germany.  They followed the same route taken by Clarence while serving in WWII.  They were hosted by several families, honored with celebrations and received much gracious appreciation for their dedicated service.

Mr. Bachand was an electrician throughout his life, working mostly for Warren & Bigelow Electric in Worcester, and later at Bay Path in Charlton.  He was the wiring inspector in Charlton from 1963-2006.  He remained very active with Bay Path in Charlton for over 53 years, and was a member of the school committee for 33 years.  He was inducted into the Bay Path Hall of Fame.

Mr. Bachand was named “Citizen of the Year” at Old Home Day in Charlton in 2021, and received the key to the town.  He was involved with Boy Scout Troop 165 in Charlton for 50 years, and received the Silver Beaver award from the Mohegan Council.  He was instrumental in forming the local Pop Warner football program in Charlton, serving as the first chairman and president.  He also served as the vice president of the Central Mass Pop Warner League.

Mr. Bachand was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Charlton, served on the Sewer Commission for five years, and served on the Recreation Committee for three years.  He helped build the Little League field in Charlton and helped form the Charlton Lassie League.

Clarence believed that if children can be involved in a group activity and can feel a part of their community, when they grow, they will participate in the life of the town as adults.  “If you start with the youth and build on them, they become better citizens.”

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 24, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Church, 10 H. Putnam Rd. Ext., Charlton.  Burial with military honors will follow at West Ridge Cemetery in Charlton.  Calling hours are Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 5-8 p.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, and again on Friday from 10-11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Charlton prior to the Mass.