Charles R. Dumais

Charles “Charlie” Remy Dumais passed in the early hours of September 12. He is survived by his daughters, Kim and Lynn, his “sons,” George and Mike, his granddaughters, Ellia and Eve, and his fur-babies, Zoey and Maebelle. He now rejoins his parents, Herman and Juliette (Couture), as well as his siblings, Joseph (Pete) Dumais, Jeannette Brady and Priscilla Beauchamp. He is survived by his sister, Dorothea Vieira.

Charlie was a well accomplished salesman, having taken over ownership of Dumais Rambler in Woonsocket from his father in his early career, and then later joining the staff at Arlington RV in Warwick. Not a camper himself, Charlie quickly grew to be an expert in equipping families with just the right unit to create beautiful vacation memories. He spent 30 years at Arlington, demonstrating fortitude in withstanding the many economic ups and downs naturally affecting his industry, and was often recognized for his outstanding contributions to the company. He enjoyed his job immensely, working until his late 70s.

At home, Charlie was known to keep a pristine lawn and beautiful home that he so generously opened to his daughters and their friends time and time again. To his granddaughters, he was known as Pep or Pepere, honoring his strong Canadian heritage. At one of those infamous parties though, as the squealing little girls were running through the house, precious friends of his granddaughters, Erika and Jessika, giggled…Pep…hee hee…like Pepsi – and it stuck from that day forward. He was our Pep, our Pepere and now our Pepsi!

Pep was not that play on the floor with the toddlers sort of grandpa; he was more the stop in, make sure everything is okay, and go as fast as he came sort of pep. When the girls hit middle school, though, he quickly hit his stride as the family uber driver, the cheerleader on the basketball bleachers and Lynn’s errand boy. Years later, the role would morph into driving teacher extraordinaire for Ellia and Starbucks runner for Evie.

On many a weekend, Charlie would hit the highway – destination: Leonia, New Jersey – to visit with Kim and Mike, where he spent hours grooming the lawn to look as perfect as possible despite the pesky deer who helped themselves to Kim’s beautiful flowers and herbs. At Kim’s, Charlie amassed a large circle of wonderful friends…Gail, Liz, Jim, Jessica, just to name a few, that would welcome him always making him feel an essential part of the gathering crew. He also was appointed honorary member of Kim’s famous book club – not sure how much reading was really accomplished.

Beyond immediate family, Charlie enjoyed a friendship with Uncle Don and Matante Fern that spanned over 60 years, surviving every twist and turn life threw at them. No holiday gathering is complete without recounting at least one of the many infamous shenanigans of Don and Chuck. They were the type that would leave the pool at the Sheraton to grab a few drinks at the bar only to return laughing hysterically telling us they had walked arm and arm, joining a wedding party that was processing by, to the bride and groom’s grand delight (at least per their account).

Charlie shared a special relationship with his first wife, Jackie, with whom he taught his girls that families can find a way to work even when marriages don’t. Jackie and Chuck redefined traditional norms as few could understand.

Charlie was also a very special friend to Anabela, who he helped get established in the States, and later to her husband, Frank, with whom he so enjoyed watching football games.

In his later years, as his health was declining, it was as if the gates of heaven opened and blessed Charlie with three extraordinary angels – Shirley, Jeannie and Joana, the ladies who spoiled him with the most loving care, who kept him and his home always looking impeccable and who provided him with empathy and camaraderie. He was so grateful that these ladies made it possible for him to stay in his home until the very end.

We will celebrate Charlie’s life and bid him farewell from this world, until we meet again. His funeral will be held on Wednesday September 16, 2026, at the Nardolillo Funeral Home & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave. Cranston. Visiting hours will be held from 10:00- 11:30 am followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 at Holy Apostles Church, 800 Pippin Orchard Rd., Cranston. Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, we invite donations to The The Parkinson's Foundation.