EDWARD DICKINSON (DICK) FORSTER CHARGE LL.B.

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EDWARD DICKINSON (DICK) FORSTER CHARGE LL.B. July 16, 1933 - May 3, 2012 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, Dick Charge on Thursday, May 3, 2012, at the Riverview Health Centre. He passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family. Our dad demonstrated great courage and perseverance as he faced numerous health challenges in recent years, and his strength and quiet determination was admired and respected by those who knew and cared for him. Dick is survived by his children, Nancy (Rob Brown), Janice (Scott McMillan), Donald (Mary Anne Van Graven), Sandra (Frank Huether), and his granddaughters Heather, Allison and Claire. Also mourning his loss are his brother Glenn (Shelagh Tulloch), his sister Lynda (Joe Vermette), and brothers-in-law Jack Gloux and Don Partrick (Marilyn) and their families. Dick was predeceased by his wife Shirley, as well as her parents, Nina and Norman Partrick, his parents, Marguerita Adshead and Royal Chandose Charge as well as his sisters Maxine, Diane and Brenda. Dick was born and raised in the Weston neighborhood of Winnipeg and was a graduate of Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1953, and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manitoba in 1958, and was called to the Bar on the June 29, 1960. On September 13, 1958, Dick and Shirley were married and moved to Ottawa. While articling in Ottawa, he worked for Revenue Canada. Two years later, Dick and Shirley moved back to Winnipeg where he began his more than thirty-year career with Great West Life Assurance Company. In 1962, Dick joined Great West Life in Property Loans Closing moving to Property Investments later that year. He was appointed Legal Assistant in 1963; Assistant Legal Officer in 1969; and Assistant Treasurer in 1971. He was then later appointed Director, Investment Legal and in 1985, was appointed Vice-President, Investment Legal until retirement in August, 1998. Dick worked with many fine people over the years, and was fortunate enough, at the time of his passing to still have a number of them in his life. Those of you who knew our father will remember him as a great fan of sports. His children fondly remember their opportunities for some one-on-one time with him attending Jets games at the old Winnipeg arena. Besides hockey, he especially loved to follow curling, football and golf. Dick particularly enjoyed his numerous years curling and socializing with great friends at the Fort Rouge Curling Club where he played 3rd. He also participated in many Great West Life Bonspiels through the years. Recreationally he loved to bat the tennis ball around the courts and in the winter enjoyed cross country skiing and skating with his close friend Bob English. He loved his daily walks in Assiniboine Park. He also enjoyed summer vacations at our cottage at Lac Lu for many years, fondly known as Heartbreak Hotel. He spent many hours building and renovating alongside his father-in-law Norman and his brother-in-law Don. Dick also enjoyed his Autumn bicycle excursions to the East Coast of Canada and the US. In more recent years, Dad looked forward to his road trips out to the West Coast and Vancouver Island. The premature and untimely passing of our mother Shirley in 1984, left an indelible mark on Dick and on our family. Despite that profound loss to our family, we will always remember our dad as a fair, steadfast and good-hearted man whom we knew was always there should we need his help and support. We will miss him very, very much. Thank you to Dad's former colleagues who took the time to visit and send their special messages during his illness. He was very touched by your thoughtfulness. We want to extend a very special thank you to Robert (Bob) English and Richard (Rick) Adams. Your friendship and support shown to our dad (and our family) over the years has been appreciated more than you know. Our family would like to thank Glenn, Shelagh, Jack and Ron for making the effort of a special trip to see Dad in his last days. Sincere thanks to Drs. Leylek and Gordon at CancerCare and the various staff who took such good care of Dick at Health Sciences Centre. We would also like to thank Arlene, Dawne, Barbara, Tony, and Drs. MacTavish and McClure at Riverview Health Centre for their compassionate care. Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's memory to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. Dick enjoyed nothing more than a nice beer or a Beaujolais alongside good friends and family. We invite friends and family to join us at a reception in honour of Dick on Thursday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m. at the Qualico Family Centre (by the duck pond) in Assiniboine Park (Tamarak Room). When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight Khalil Gibran THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 07, 2012