Born on May 1, 1936 in Plattsburgh, New York, Charles was the son of Raphael Charles and May Louise (Tecklenburg) LaFontaine, of Dannemora, New York. He was a graduate of Dannemora High School in 1954 and was awarded a New York State Regents Scholarship. He graduated from New York State College for Teachers in Albany, New York (now University at Albany) in 1958 with an A.B. magna cum laude in Latin and Social Studies. A recipient of a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, he received an M.A. in Classics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1959.
Later that year, he entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (Graymoor Friars) at Cumberland, Rhode Island, where he professed his first vows in 1960. After studies in philosophy at St. Pius X Seminary at Graymoor, Garrison, New York, he completed his theological courses at Atonement Seminary, Washington, D.C., where he professed his final vows in 1963.
Ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in June 1966 at St. Bernard’s Church, Saranac Lake, New York, he was assigned to the staff of the Centro Pro Unione, an ecumenical ministry in Rome, Italy. He returned to the United States in 1968 for advanced theological studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and then at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, where he was awarded an M.A. in Church History in 1972.
After a year as guardian of Atonement Friary in New York City, he was assigned in 1973 to the staff of the Graymoor Ecumenical Institute at Graymoor, Garrison, New York, where he was the editor of Ecumenical Trends. During his seven-year tenure at the Institute, he co-authored three books, co-edited three more, published hundreds of articles on religious and historical subjects, and made numerous media appearances. In 1984, he received full certification in drug and alcohol counseling at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York.
Released by Rome from his clerical obligations, he moved to San Francisco and became Curator of the Wells Fargo History Museum, San Francisco. He retired from Wells Fargo in 2001. His sister, Suzanne C. Evanchuk, of South Burlington, Vermont, survives him. He was preceded in death by his partner, Robert F. Thompson, brother-in-law, Thomas J. Evanchuk, and beloved dog, Bingo.
At Charles’ request, there will be no memorial services. After cremation, his ashes will be interred at the San Francisco Columbarium along with those of his domestic partner, Robert F. Thompson.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18