Charlie, are you happy to have Gilligan back? Perhaps now and forever more he will be the energetic, fully-furred, playful cat he used to be! And maybe he's hunting chipmunks and mice to his heart's content...an outdoor cat once more, just as he was getting used to the condo. What a great cat, friendly and affectionate. He was adaptable and content - from first arriving at your place in St. Catharines, through his adventures at Jeff's (so kind of him to look after Gilligan when you first moved to Pittsburg) - then Gilligan's own transfer to Steeltown to be with you and then his return home with you and moving to Muskoka with us as our foster cat until you were in a place that accepted pets. Lo and behold that was actually happening, but suddenly I found myself Gilligan's care giver when you had to leave us. I did have a good time looking after him for you but I'm glad now that he has found the best home ever, and you have him with you again.  

Charles, All of a sudden it's been almost three years without you in our lives. I am thankful for the short time we had even though sometimes those ups and downs wore thin on both of us. You missed out on a long life that would surely have resulted in your accomplishing more good things, being a thoughtful brother, uncle and friend, helping others along the way. You loved having fun and your enthusiasm was infectious, even if sometimes crazy to us as parents.
Many of our friends and family open their hearts to me and I know that through your loss they experience again their great sorrow, also having lost loved ones. I grieve along with each one of them for their child, their parent, their sibling, their husband or wife. I find that they all help me to see that others can flourish and that I appreciate my family, good health, and any given years ahead.
Keep watching over us with your dad. I believe you now know all that the rest of us strive to know, and that someday we will be together again. 

Charlie, I remember babysitting for you and Lee when your parents were on vacation. You were in about grade 3 or 4 and a bit of a handful. Typical energetic boy - such zest for everything. One morning you forgot to take your skates to school with you, even though I'd kept reminding you, and sure enough about 9:30 am the school called. I rushed out, coat over my pajamas, and you were totally embarrassed when I showed up at your school like that (skates in hand). I recall I said, "Serves you right". That same night I think we watched a Patsy Cline movie together, (my choice, starring Jessica Lange), and we cried together. You said, "Oh Aunt Cathy, what a singer". A wise old soul ... miss you....    

April 18 - April is my most special month - not only for the promise of Spring, but for Birthday Month at our house. Charlie, I remember having fun preparing for your childhood parties on the 18th, after your dad's birthday on the 10th and before Lee's on the 27th. Luckily, the balloons were still fairly well inflated for your day...in contrast to Lee's when you helped us add a few new firm ones.

In keeping with your favorite number 9, you used to think of the 18th as your double lucky day. Hockey sweaters, addresses, dates, you would always figure 9 was involved in good happenings.

When you were born, what joy. The nurse wrapped you in pink - it was on top of the pile - and your dad asked, 'don't you have yellow or blue or white?' Placing you on the scale, the doctor said, 'well his plumbing works' - which Lee found to be true a few days later at home, when from atop the change table, you unknowingly tinkled onto her sweet 3-year-old head.

Before bringing you and me home from the hospital, your dad took Lee to a park where he enjoyed the time alone with her before your arrival - time that he felt she would always share thereafter. He arranged for you to 'present' Lee with a cradle for her many dolls, to secure your welcome. It was unnecessary - Lee loved you from the start. Our quiet, shy little girl became talkative and outgoing the moment you started to form words yourself. Lee took it upon herself to be your interpreter and it is a marvel you learned to express yourself competently.

And you became her protector for a time. At 4 years, trailing after her as she sold Brownie cookies in the neighborhood, you knocked on a softly closed door and asked, 'Why you not buy cookies from my sister?"

I miss you, Charlie. So many birthday memories reel in my mind. Hot dogs and peanut butter chocolate cake. Bowling and house party games. Little boys pushing and shouting during musical chairs - a stupid game, we all decided! You always won Pin the Tail on the Donkey because you always peeked. Parachutes your dad and i made from handkerchiefs and stones and thread.

You're not here today to make lemon meringue pie which you made practically every visit, so I'll make one to enjoy in your memory. It happens to be Good Friday, so it will be a special treat. And hot cross buns Easter Sunday morning, as always.

Love,

Mom

I met Charles when I moved into, an apartment on Invergordon Lane near Creditview Rd. I moved to, Canada from Mobile, Alabama for a job offer in Toronto. When Charles and I met we got along very well he and i talked about places we enjoyed going to. 

Charles was fascinated with "Pittsburgh" he goes every weekend to see his girlfriend he told me about the Steelers. He's never been to the South but he told me one day he will. He loved his job at the bank everyday he came home he'd always tell me stories. About how his day was and the people he dealt with most of his stories cracked me up. I would laugh even though I wasn't with him the reason is he's a funny guy. 

Charles was, struggling in his life but he always tried to pull himself together and make the best of it. He talked to me about his Cottage up in Muskoka and said he would invite me to come but unfortunately I didn't have time but I did go this past Summer accept with my new girlfriend.

When I found out about Charles passing is I was on a business trip in New York. One of my friends who works at "First Canadian Place" in Toronto notified me by email. And when i found out I was broken hearted, the last time him and I spoke was in February. We were going go for a beer at a bar when he was downtown but that didn't happen. 

I messaged his girlfriend on facebook to let her know I was sorry and wished her the best. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family I know it's going to be tough for them to pull through. I know how it's like to lose a loved one and I'm sorry about what happened but things will get better down the road.

Take care!

 

Charlie was a significant part of my life for a long time through high school and university, and I feel lost and shocked to know that he is no longer here. Although we haven't been in touch for the past few years, I will never forget Charlie's exuberance, confidence, and general enjoyment of life. Many of my formative experiences in becoming an adult involved my friendship with Charlie, and those memories will always be a part of my life.

When we were in grade 10, Charlie and I joined the football team at our highschool, Erindale S.S. We played next to each other on the offensive line, and his natural strength and aggression always pushed and motivated me. Charlie and I would often walk home together after one of Coach Roe's gruelling practices, and being the young teenage boys that we were, we would often stop at the McDonald's en route. Chuck always ordered the double Big Mac combo (some times with extra cheeseburgers on the side), and I would get the double Quarter Pounder combo. We enjoyed this "snack" before heading home for dinner. Neither of us worried too much about the money that we burned through that fall at McDonald's.


When football season was over, we would often head to my house after school to play pool. Many an afternoon was spent arguing about who was the better player, who could perform the better shot, and who owed who money. Snacks at my house often consisted of giant bowls of Honeycombs... or two, and often peanut butter sandwiches. Charlie was the only person I know who could literally use a quarter jar of peanut butter and jam in one sandwich. My seven year old daughter now is a big peanut butter fan too, but it does seem to last a bit longer in our house now than it did then.


Once Charlie got his car, our world expanded... at least as far as Oakville and Brampton, and we carefully explored which bars West of Toronto would admit us, mostly so we could play pool and talk to girls. Charlie, of course, was always quick to break the ice with new people, often to the embarrassment of me quietly trying to hide in the corner.


I remember one winter when we were driving around snow covered streets at night, because apparently that's what kids from the suburbs do for fun, and Charlie saw an empty parking lot. He decided that it would be a good idea to try and do doughnuts in the snow. Great idea... probably would have been fun... if we had realized that there was a curb buried in the middle of the parking lot under the snow. It didn't go so well. We were able to drive home, but I think Chuck had to hold the wheel almost at a 90 degree turn to drive straight. There were apparently some alignment problems. I'm not sure what story he did eventually tell his parents, but I don't think it involved doughnuts in the snowy parking lot.


Charlie and I grew apart as we went to separate universities, but my then girlfriend, now my wife, and I spent a memorable weekend at his cottage. I enjoyed going to his cottage, and Chuck always felt at home there. I admired his grace in the water and his skill on water skis and boards. I appreciated his patience with me as he kept letting me have turns behind the boat, even though I never could stand up with the skurf board.


I know that I speak for many of Chuck's friends through high school and university when I say that even though there were many difficult times--when we didn't win, when we were sure that we were mad at each other, or when we were trying to get Stan at the Rec to pay us what he actually owed us--I will always remember Charles, his energy and confidence, and the fact that he always made life more interesting.

Charlie changed my life in many positive ways, and I am saddened to know a world without him in it.

35 years is not enough.      

Jamey Vickery  

Margaret and Lee and family,

I received our note yesterday and totally reeling with the contents....how could this happen.  You and Lee are just even slightly getting accustomed to Bob dying and then another profound death.  It is like the sequence is out of order, we as the parents are usually the ones to predecease our children.   This will take good old time to get your head around it.   

As you remember, we met when Charles signed up for hockey at Meadowvale 4 Rinks and who was on the same team but our son Andrew, who Bob always nicknamed AD (Andrew Dixon.)   As it turned out, Bob had just recently left a position at Searle Pharmaceuticals and who took over his position but my late husband  Peter, what are the chances that two families would have met at hockey.  We spent a number of wonderful times at your cottage on Clear Lake, our two kids and your kids, we meshed as couples and became fast friends.   Then Bob and you Margaret decided to venture out on your own and Peter latched on to your unique abilities.   I still have retained samples of the work that you two did together.   Work was part of our relationship; but at this time let’s remember Charles.   I remember how much he enjoyed water skiing.   I also remember that when he went on the ice the energy he displayed and enthusiasm were unmatched – a true force to reckon with.  We spent many weekends on hockey tournaments and our families truly enjoyed so much fun together.   

Michael and Andrew were both here today and I read them both your letter.   This came as a huge shock to both of them and they would want me to extend their sympathies to you all. 

I really don’t know how to end this note.   How can I help, what can I do, how I can I help you heal; I am so very sorry for Charles’s life being cut short with so much ahead of him.   Questions like - Why arise, and what is the answer.   I will call and find out what is best for you to do.   I am your friend and I am here to help in any way that I possibly can.   With love,    Kathleen Dixon

My love I cant thank you enough for all the love and care you had for me all this time we have been together. Since the first day I felt you were special I am thankful that our lives met. 


You have always been a blessed man. You were always spreading happiness and laughs and knowledge wherever you went. You were always taking care of everyone around you. I know you are watching over us from where you are.

Life decided to take you to a better place. I am sure you are now catching up with your Dad. It was very hard for you to be away from him  and you are probably thinking " Please dont cry for me"


You will always be in my heart. I know we will meet again.


Missing you,

your Ana         

I will ALWAYS LOVE YOU !!!  The brother i never had. Im so grateful to have you as a best friend. You helped me through so much, and if it wasnt for you i would have never went back to our old jobs, and i wouldn't have ever met Kathie. Even though you are not here with us anymore, you will still be my best man ( in my thoughts) at my wedding someday, and for the rest of my life as well. You are the greatest friend i've EVER had !!  I am so proud of you Charles and i am so happy you got to met my son Emerson. Until we met again..... LOVE U 4EVER !!!!