Charles "Chuck" B. Fournier

Charles B. “Chuck” Fournier - flannel shirt and light bulb hoarder - passed away on April 2, 2021. We all thought we had more time, but Chuck was always exceptionally early for everything. He will forever be quoted, loved and missed by his six daughters - Virginia, Christine, Jill, Donna, Cherie and Kim - all of whom he referred to as ‘kid’ or ‘young lady’ and who vow to continue the heritage of finding humor in any situation and speaking fluent sarcasm. Chuck served in the United States Air Force where he was assigned to the Civil Engineering Squadron at Lowry Air Force Base right before being honorably discharged in 1967. After serving his country, his work experience included helping to make the gyroscopes used on the Apollo space missions - something he was really proud of. After that, he started work as an HVAC technician and eventually started his own HVAC company, Tri-State Mechanical, in Englewood, Colorado. Chuck’s company proudly serviced the cooling needs of every 7-11 store in the tri-state area, and he always used the location of a 7-11 store as a landmark when giving directions. Tell him where you were going, and he’d tell you “there’s a 7-11 a couple miles from there.” Chuck married Carol Grunewald in 1962 in Michigan. The couple eventually settled in Arvada, Colorado where they bought a house with one bathroom and raised their six children. Though they separated in the late 80s, Carol and Chuck remained close friends. Chuck loved his family - his cheese dip and bags of Hershey’s Miniatures were a staple at all family get-togethers. He’d routinely ask us “you want a pop” or “you want a shot of milk” at every family party. Although we sometimes embarrassed him with our joking and antics, we know he loved every minute of it. Along with being known as Dad, he was also a grandfather. He was a fellow hockey fan and partner in sarcasm with Larin. He was Fuzzy Grandpa to Igor, Vadim, Lera and Zhenya. He was voted “the first person I’d call if I ever got arrested” by Katana and Soleil, science and mechanics enthusiast with Colton, and career role model for Jean. An endless wealth of advice - both solicited and unsolicited - was bestowed upon his family. Also known as W.o.W (words of wisdom) we know that it’s a round world, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and to go slow and think through the problem. None of us can watch a hockey game without hearing him sternly remind us to “keep your eyes on the damn puck or you’ll get it in the teeth,” and, because of him, we know to “always, always save some for later.” No matter what you were experiencing - an illness, a home repair problem, or landscaping issue - he always “had a buddy” who’d had the same experience and would share their story. Along with his children and grandchildren, Chuck had four siblings, many cousins, nieces, nephews, fishing buddies and friends. He loved national parks (he’d been to all of them west of the Mississippi), Colorado and the Strawberry Poppyseed Salad from Panera. He was always early and knew exactly when to end a family Zoom get-together. He wrote in ALL CAPS and had every tool for any job you could imagine. He was a willing participant in our jokes and water balloon fights. He grew tomatoes, collected guns and couldn’t pass up a good stock-up sale. As Chuck would say, this is a bugger. But we will be good, stay out of trouble, and try and look for the shiny side. We will take it slow, take pictures and watch for wildlife. Our air filters will be changed on the regular. Although thinking of this logically seems unimaginable, we know that’s what he would have wanted. Breathe easy, Dad - you done good. W-L, US GUYS. Chuck is survived by the mother of his children, Carol Fournier; daughters Virginia Fournier (Mark Smolinski); Christine Zamora (Patrick); Jill Gallegos (Dieter); Donna Smerker (Richard); Cherie Fournier; Kim Bressette (Gabe); grandchildren Larin Zamora (Stacey); Jean Gallegos; Igor, Vadim, Lera and Zhenya Waite; Katana and Soleil Smith; Colton Bressette. Chuck will be laid to rest at a private ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery on April 22, 2021 at 1:30. We welcome family and friends to join us in celebrating Chuck’s life at The Inn at Hudson Gardens - 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120 - on Saturday, April 24 at 1:30 pm. Please dress comfortably and wear plaid, if you are so inclined, to honor Chuck’s vast flannel shirt collection. In Chucks memory, donations can be made to: The National Parks Foundation give.nationalparks.org Wounded Warrior Project Support.woundedwarriorproject.org Freedom Service Dogs freedomservicedogs.org Wounded Warrior Project Support.woundedwarriorproject.org Freedom Service Dogs freedomservicedogs.org