February 23, 2021
1934-2021 ~ With heavy hearts the family of Alexander Johnston Charles announce the passing of their dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle, on Feb 23, 2021.
Alex (Paddy) was born in 1934 the youngest of 6 children, at the Gammons, the family farm in Rothienorman, Scotland. He attended Lawers School of Agriculture before immigrating to Canada with Alice and Brenda in 1957.
He was hired at Seal-Kap Dairy (present site of Trinity Western University) as a farm labourer, then managed Willows Poultry Farm in Sumas Prairie. Alex and Alice rented a small farm, milking 10 cows while dad worked as an AI Technician. They then realized their lifelong dream of owning their own dairy farm in 1969 and farmed in Rosedale for the next 27 years.
After their retirement, Alex and Alice moved to Agassiz on a hobby farm. In 2014 they moved to Qualicum Beach to be closer to family. Alex was always active in the community. Proud of his Scottish heritage, he was a member of the Caledonian Society. He organized Robbie Burns nights where he gave an impressive Address to the Haggis. He played the bagpipes in the Chilliwack Pipe Band.
Another passion of his was the Chilliwack Plowing Society. Plowing took him to New Zealand, Ireland, Africa and all across Canada. He was crowned BC Plowing Champion several times and enjoyed mentoring the younger plowers. Alex had many interests and hobbies including golfing, cards, dancing, travelling and skiing. He was an avid hockey fan, enjoying the Chilliwack Chiefs and the Canucks. He was proud to have donated 100 pints of blood to the Red Cross. He was involved in local parades and fairs as a participant and a judge.
He was over 80 when he took up the ukulele. He enjoyed the works of Robbie Burns and Robert Service and had several poems memorized including a repertoire of nonsense verse much to the amusement of all! Alex was a generous and genuine soul who was very social and made many good friends. He also loved his dogs and recently said goodbye to his friend, Angus who loved to ride in the 'old truck'.
He was a member of the Cooke's Presbyterian Church in Chilliwack and St. Columba in Parksville.
Predeceased by his father George, mother Helen, brothers Hall, James, Ian and son in law Dwight. Survived by his loving wife of 65 years Alice, daughters Brenda, Shirley (Blaine), Jane (Paul), and grandchildren Harley, Barry, Raymond, Clayton, Ross and Megan. Great grandchildren, Arianna, Danica, and Hannah. Also by his brother and sister, William and Sheena in Scotland and many nephews and nieces whom Alex kept in touch with via skype and emails.
Alex's family would like to thank the caring staff at Nanaimo General Hospital palliative care unit. Due to covid restrictions there will be a private family service. In his memory, donations can be made to the SPCA, local food bank, Hospice or a charity of your choosing.