Obituary of Paul John Chara

Paul John Chara New Hampton, NY Paul John Chara, died at home on April 8, 2008 in New Hampton, NY. Paul was born on May 16, 1922 in Owosso, Michigan, the son of John and Mary Chara. His Sisters, Mary and Genevieve, and his brothers, Frank, Charles, Joseph, and John are deceased. Pauls Family moved to Goshen, NY when he was a young child, and he attended school there. He joined the Navy in 1942 and, while serving as an antiaircraft gunner aboard the destroyer U.S.S Emmons, he experienced combat at Omaha Beach (June 6, 1944) and the invasion of Okinawa (1945). Paul received the Purple Heart for wounds incurred during the Okinawa kamikaze assault on April 6, and survived the sinking of the Emmons resulting from five Suicide plane hits. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he became a Plumber and a Steamfitter, and was a proud member of the Union Local #373. Paul married Linnie Isabel Miller on July 19, 1952 and they raised one daughter, Linnie, and two sons, Paul, Jr., and Jonathan. Paul is survived by his wife Linnie Miller Chara, his three children and eight grandchildren: Heidi Frank (Joe), Michael, Holly, and Joshua Grodecki (Linnie and Michael); Christian, Karston, Kristof and Kristiana Chara (Paul and Kathleen). Paul was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, believed in his heart and confessed with his mouth that Jesus Christ was his Lord, and his family rest in the assurance of his Eternal peace in God (I Thessalonians 4:13). He will be buried on Saturday, April 12, 2008, in Goshen, New York with other Veterans of the United States armed forces in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, New York 12550. Arrangements are under the care of the Donovan Funeral Home, Goshen, New York. If you would like to send a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at donovanfunerals.com