Charlie Mason

March 4, 1935 – January 29, 2019

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of our father and papa, Charlie on January 29, at the age of 83. He had lost many family and friends, but there are countless others left to mourn his passing.

Charlie was born and raised in Pinewood, Ontario, on March 4, 1935 where he acquired his hard work ethic from living on a farm.  He enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 18, first being stationed in Gimli, MB.  It was there he met and married our mother, Mary, in 1954.   

While stationed in Nova Scotia and then Germany their two daughters, Janice and Christa were born.  He was always so proud of us.  He never made a lot of money, but he gave us everything we needed; not always everything we wanted, to teach us we had to work hard for what we wanted. In his quiet way, he would also let us know if we disappointed him, and it was something we tried not to do often. After being the only man in the house for so long, he was thrilled to have two grandsons.  As he was with everyone, he was so kind and helpful to them.  He was there when Zak got his first hole in one in Gimli and to see Cooper graduate from high school. The best honour they can give him is to grow up to be just like him.

He was a handyman who would help us all with anything and everything.  We could call in the middle of the night with a furnace problem; or early in the morning needing to get one of the boys to hockey or school and he always came.

He had a passion for Winnipeg sports teams and if he couldn’t get to the games, would listen to them on the radio or watch them on TV.  ‘Damn Bombers!!!’ was something we heard a lot from him in recent years.  He curled for decades and loved watching any Manitoba team win on the national or international stage. 

As our mother’s cognition declined, he gave up everything to look after her.  He never left her side, complained or asked for help.  When she was finally moved to a personal care home, he knew she was well looked after but he felt so much guilt that he couldn’t be the one to do it.   They were married for 64 years.

2018 was the best Christmas with him, not knowing it would be our last.  There were tears and laughter in equal amounts.  He just wasn’t the same after that and seemed to know that something was coming.  Just as in life, he left everything well looked after in his death.  Steve and Dave will take good care of your girls now.

We want to thank the paramedics for their quick response; Dr. Bellan, Dr. Blouw, and the nurses in the Grace ER and ICU for treating him and us with such compassion and respect.

He never wanted to be the centre of attention so at his request there will not be a formal service.  We will have a private gathering for family and friends to share their Charlie stories over a Jets game and gluten free beer in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers or donations, he would just ask that we all be humble and kind in our daily lives. 

“Rest in peace papa you deserve it. Love you forever!”