March 11, 1929 - April 12, 2021
With much sadness yet greater love, gratitude, admiration and pride, we want to share the news of our Dad's peaceful passing. Chuck had just celebrated his 92nd birthday via Zoom with family and a few friends and he remained at home until the final few hours.
Chuck or "Chubby" was born in Calgary, Alberta and spent his first few years in Big Valley and Calgary with his sister Irene (b. 1928) and their parents, Charles Ernest and Evelyn Alberta (nee McNair), who were both born in Montreal, Quebec.
The family moved to Coalmont, BC, where their father started work at the Coalmont Electric Powerhouse (aka Coalmont Colliery). Baby brother, Larry and sister, Betty-Lou, were born in Coalmont in 1931 and 1933.
The family was very happy in the small community of Coalmont. The children attended a one-room schoolhouse for grades 1 through grade 6. The family vacationed every summer in Calgary, where they visited their Grandpa McNair and Auntie Florence (Bo) and other family.
When Chuck was 11 years old, his dad accepted a job at The Port Hammond Sawmill, and the family moved from their peaceful little hamlet of Coalmont, to Port Hammond, BC.
It was in Port Hammond, that Charles (Chuck) met and courted Evelyn (Ev)! They were married in 1954. Chuck and Ev moved to Chilliwack in 1959, where they bought their first house on Tamarack Place, eventually raising their four children - Lori, Cindy, Robert & Michael - in a home directly across the road on McCaffrey Blvd.
First and foremost, Chuck was a devoted and steadfast husband and father.
For he and Mom, life was all about family, close friendships and community service. Chuck was active, along with Ev, as leaders and Teaching Masters in the bowling community, first at Chilliwack Recreation and then Chillibowl Lanes.
He was also a long-time scouting leader with the 6th Chilliwack United Scout Group, enjoying many BC and Canadian Jamborees, as far away as PEI. In 1994, Chuck & Ev were two of the co-founders and Charter Members of the Chilliwack Dogwood Monarch Lions Club, enjoying many new kinships and continued service.
Just before her passing in 2004, Ev was made an honorary lifetime member. In April, 2006, as a result of a nomination by his fellow Dogwood Monarch Lions, Chuck received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from Lions Clubs International Foundation.
Chuck had many skills and hobbies, including fishing, reading and golf, and his resume included many vocations. Prior to working at the Motor License office in Chilliwack for over 25 years, he helped lay the original TransCanada pipeline up north, worked at the Hammond Cedar Mill and was a prison guard at both Oakalla Prison and Ford Mountain Correctional Centre before becoming a Highway Patrol Constable. Upon retirement he and Ev purchased Vickery's Driving School and operated it together for several years.
Chuck lost his love, Ev, just before their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004. He was also predeceased by his parents and each of his siblings, with dear eldest sister, Irene, passing just before her own 92nd birthday in 2019.
He is survived by his four children - Lori Shand, Cindy White, Robert Atkinson (Margaret) and Michael Atkinson; six grandchildren - Steven, Kyle and Jennifer White; Shawna Delbridge; Colin and Cameron Atkinson; thirteen (and a half!) great grand-children and many much-loved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of choice. We will be happy to invite folks to a celebration at a later date, to be announced. Chuck / Dad, you and Mom are always loved and remembered in our minds and hearts.