Joseph John Charron

Cumberland, ME – Joseph Charron, 68, of Cumberland, died peacefully with family at his side on June 8, 2024, after a very brief battle with cancer.

Born in Portland in 1955 to Come Charron, Jr. and Frances E. Charron (Crowley), he attended and graduated from Portland High School and was a standout baseball player.

Recruited by the Boston Red Sox out of High School, Joseph turned down the opportunity to follow his dreams of being a police officer. After attending SMVTI, he began a lengthy career with the Cumberland Police Department as a Patrolman in 1982. He promoted to Sergeant and became the D.A.R.E. Officer for MSAD 51 Cumberland/North Yarmouth. He loved working with the local youth as a mentor and role model, including fundraising for the program by making his homemade spaghetti sauce for their food booth at the Cumberland Fair. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1993 by promoting to the rank of Chief of Police. Joe dedicated 33 years of service to the citizens of Cumberland and retired in April of 2016. Not quite finished with his calling to public service, he spent the next 4 years as a Judicial Marshal for the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland, Maine and finally left law enforcement in 2020 to enjoy retirement.

His retirement was short-lived, with a diagnosis of dementia in late 2020. What few years he did have, he enjoyed a few rounds of golf and a little fishing with his daughter and grandchildren. Joseph was predeceased by his parents as well as two brothers Peter Charron in 2019 and Paul Charron in 2023. His untimely passing is deeply mourned by those who loved him most – daughter, Christy Diffin and Joseph Carrol of Cumberland; three grandchildren, Hunter & Mackenzie Diffin of Cumberland and Zoe Diffin of Gorham; ex-wife, Lil Charron of Shapleigh; sister, Theresa McDonough, of Portland, brother, Michael Charron, of Freeport, as well as the many lives he touched over the years as a fixture in the local community.

Sincere gratitude is extended to the compassionate staff at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth where Joe was lovingly cared for in his final weeks.

Funeral arrangements are provided by Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home. Viewing hours will be from 4-7 pm on Friday, June 14 at St. Pius Church in Portland. Catholic Mass will be held at St. Pius of Portland on Saturday, June 15 at 11:00 am, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. Reception to be held from 1-3:30 pm at Val Halla Golf Course in Cumberland on Saturday following the burial.