Thomas Ducharme

Passed away on August 8, 2018 at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Philemon and Agnes (Jansen) Ducharme; brother, Richard; and daughter, Rita.

He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Sandy; children, Renee, Michael, Jim (Suzanne), and Neil; son-in-law, Richard Willox; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Patricia (Richard) Coan; and sister-in-law, Carol. 

Tom attended St. John’s Catholic School and graduated in 1959 from Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville. He was a life-long resident of Little Canada, MN. He started working with his father at the Brings Company and later co-owned the company with his brother, Richard. Tom retired after 40 years and was known as the “Onion Man”. 

He was also very active in the Little Canada Volunteer Fire Department. He was the Chief Engineer, taught at Minnesota’s fire school, and was on the committee to build the current fire station and purchase trucks. He received a certification from the Congressional Fire Service Institute, one of only 11 in MN. He told great stories and was a mentor to many in the department. He loved helping people in his community.

He enjoyed spending time on the Ash River Trail in Orr, MN, lake life at the cabin and the Donut Hut. He loved his family, snowmobile trips, boating and RV'ing around the country.  

Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Tuesday, August 14 at ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 380 E. Little Canada Rd., Little Canada. Interment St. John’s Church Cemetery. Visitation AT THE CHURCH from 4-8 PM Monday and from 10-11 AM Tuesday.  

A special thank you to the staff of Health East Cancer Care, St. John’s Hospital and the Pillars Hospice.