Ernest Lucien Charest Sr.

1962 - 2022

Lewiston - Ernest L. Charest “Ernie”, 59 of Auburn, Maine passed away on the afternoon of Monday April 4, 2022 surrounded by his family. Heaven has been blessed with an extraordinary person as Ernie has now entered its gates. Ernie was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease on September 9th, 2018. He fought a hard fight right up until the end. He used his God-given talents to make this world a much better place.

Ernie was born in Lewiston, Maine on June 11th, 1962 to Roger E. Charest and the late Rose I. Charest. He was a 1981 graduate of Franklin Alternative High School. Ernest saw an opportunity at fifteen in the communications field. With the guidance of mentors, he worked his way up in the industry. He began as a technician with Atlantic Telecom. He later started his own cable/communications company, Maine Telecom Contracting, which he owned for 4 ½ years. Over the next couple decades he worked for Northstar Communications and Central Maine Communications, finishing his career with Business Communications of Maine.

As “A Maine Boy,” Ernie, in his younger days, enjoyed fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling. He was Vice President of the Augusta Area Jaycees. He was an avid motorcycle rider and enjoyed riding with his wife Claudette, family, and friends. Ernie also participated in the Toy Run for Maine Bikers Association of New England for 10 years.

Ernie lived humbly, honestly, and within his personal means. He took seriously the role of being a parent and serving his sons, daughter, and all children as a role model for life’s simplest and yet seemingly most difficult task, following “The Golden Rule.” He expected nothing more of others than he did of himself.

He wrote this special thank you before his passing: “Though my family may have pushed for the possibilities of coloring outside of the lines, those most committed to working from a place of heart, rose to the challenge and hopefully, in return, experienced a personal and professional growth that will accompany them in their future work with others, and also as they personally consider their own mortality and personal family choices. It was a difficult task to be in the position of receiving from others, but my family will always be grateful to those who reached outside of themselves to honor my requests; for those who called, visited, saw a need and rose to the challenge of offering help; from shoveling roofs and furnace vents, to going the extra mile to make the pilgrimage to our home, to offering home-cooked meals, and the beautiful gift of simply offering me your unique gift of presence; my precious present. I thank you all and remember to just smile when you think of me as I am at peace.

He leaves behind his beautiful and loving wife Claudette D. Charest, his four boys Tommy and fiancée Michele Rivera, Charles and his wife Nicole, Roger and his wife Nicole “Nikki”, Ernest L. Charest Jr, his only daughter Tabitha and her fiance Jordan DeOliveira, and only grandchild Felix Charest. He also leaves behind his father Roger E. Charest, sister Marie Charest, and sister Susan and her husband Bobby Berube, as well as MANY nieces and nephews. Ernie was predeceased by his mother Rose I. Charest.

To leave a message in the family's online guestbook, please visit www.thefortingroupauburn.com

Visitation will be at The Fortin Group / AUBURN Wed. April 13th from 4-7 PM. Funeral will be at the funeral home on Thursday April April 14th at 11 AM.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of The Fortin Group, 217 Turner Street, Auburn, ME 04210 207-783-8545