CHARLIE MASON

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

• I first met Charlie when he was posted to R.C.A.F. Station Greenwood in Nova Scotia. in the early 1960s and have fond memories of him in that period. I was posted to RCAF Zweibruecken in 1967 and lost touch with him for a decade. I was posted to 401 TSD in Winnipeg in 1983. Imagine my surprise when at a meeting of the military staff of Bristol, Standard Aero and HQ, there was Charlie, he had not changed a bit. A few years later he came over to work with us in the Itinerant section. He was famous for his 'one liners'. After we both retired we used to meet infrequently on a Friday evening with our wives at the local Legion. My wife and I will miss Charlie and hopefully Mary will not suffer too much. Sincere condolences to the family. I wish there were more people like him... - Posted by: Michael Hickey (Friend and Co-worker) on: Mar 14, 2019

• Dear Janice and Christa and family: I have known your family since I was about 10 years old, when we first met in Germany. I knew, even back then as a child, that your father was an exceptional person, and all my life he was my yardstick for what a good man was supposed to be. Charlie was a true gentle soul; he had all the qualities that most people aspire to attain but never quite reach. He was good and kind and hardworking, even-tempered and compassionate. His company was always enjoyable and he possessed a wonderful, wry sense of humour. I want to share with you a special memory I have of him; even though it may not seem significant to others, it is one that I cherish: one time our family was visiting yours when you lived in Loni Beach. Janice had put on her tap dancing shoes and was giving us a demonstration. I think her enthusiasm went on for longer than her audience's endurance, and Charlie said, ever so mildly; "All right, Janice, I think we all know you can tap dance. That's enough, now." And Janice flounced off, saying huffily to her father over her shoulder; "Well, who likes YOU?" Charlie just gave a shrug, but we all had a good laugh over that exchange, and to this day, I can't think of that scene without smiling. Your father was one of the best, and I know you must be hurting deeply from your loss. But I want you to know he was loved and admired and respected by so many, and I was one of those who understood and appreciated his worth. I will never forget him. With love, Wanda Starr - Posted by: Wanda Starr (friend) on: Feb 06, 2019

• I am so sorry to hear of your loss Janice. I never knew your father but I feel from the beautiful tribute that was written of him, he was a wonderful man to have known. My thoughts are with you and your family. - Posted by: Christine Parfeniuk (Coworker/Friend) on: Feb 04, 2019

• Dear Janice,Christa and families Oh I was so saddened to hear of Charlie’s passing. He was such a wonderful person and a great friend. Memories of our good times with Charlie and Mary,Gordy and I still remain so dear.After Gordy’ passing,Charlie would come to the cottage and made sure I was okay.he did my grass,fixed the eave trough ,did some plumbing and just made sure all was okay. He was always there to lend a hand. He will be missed by everyone who knew him ,and I am sure Johnny and Gordy will be waiting at the gates for their dear dear friend May you Rest In Peace dear friend. My deepest condolences to you all Joyce - Posted by: Joyce Peterson (Friend) on: Feb 04, 2019

• So sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things to accept. In my younger years I never knew Charlie very well just that he was so much like my dad(Charlie Dimit) they even looked alike. Over the years I got to know him. He was such a quiet ,gentle man. We will certainly miss him as I know there will be a big gap in your lives. Stay strong. The family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Art and Anne-Marie Thunder Bay, Ontario. - Posted by: Anne-marie Reid (Cousin) on: Feb 03, 2019

• What a wonderful soft spoken humours man your Dad was. He looked and acted so much like my Dad, his uncle Charlie Dimit. I had the pleasure of golfing with him last August in Kenora with my brother Roger. That is a memory I will always cherish. He walked just about all 18 holes that day which at his age was amazing. All through the years anytime your Mom and him came to visit my parents my Dad’s eyes would light up like Charlie was an extension of him. You will miss him greatly and Roger and I won’t get the golf games with him that we had talked about. We will all cherish the fondest of memories. He is right “ live your lives being humble and kind”. Love you Sir Charles ( our little joke) until we meet again. Marlin and Gaydonna. - Posted by: Gaydonna Dimit -Baker (Cousin) on: Feb 03, 2019

• Hi Janice and Christa, So sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great great man. I was saddened to read his obituary but was certainly moved by your words and the fitting send off you gave him. My fondest memory of him was his gentle demeanour and his kindness. Those qualities are not easy to come by and he had them in spades. I remember when we would make our hockey rink in the back yard and he would gladly allow us to extend it onto his yard even though it would result in some winter burn, that was never a problem for Charlie. Furthermore, he was not concerned about us playing hockey near his car and never so much as mentioned a fear that we may hit his car with a puck and I don’t think we ever did and if we did he never said anything but kind words. If I was out for a skate in the morning and he found any stray pucks in his yard he would say good morning and kindly toss the puck back onto the rink for me. When I needed a subject for my school career project he kindly accommodated me and gave me a tour of Bristol Aerospace where he worked on the CF 101 Voodoo. I would eventually become a jet fighter technician and eventually a fighter pilot in the CF which I partly attribute to that experience and the inspiration he gave me. You could not have asked for or got a better dad and his memory is an inspiration for all that knew him. His physical being is gone now but his memory will live on and inspire and help guide all those that knew him. Take care and continue to make him proud. With love from our family Ed and Leanne Miller + Clay, Cassidy and Holley - Posted by: Ed Miller (Family friend past neighbor on Kenaston) on: Feb 03, 2019

• To the Mason family...I was so saddened to hear of your fathers passing. When I was a young girl ( a very long time ago) I was sure I would marry Charlie. I absolutely adored him. Once he and your Mom were married I babysat for your parents and saw his incredible relationship to his girls. We have met Zak many times over the years and knew his huge bond to Poppa. May he rest in peace and may you treasure his wonderful memory. Shirley Krulicki - Posted by: Shirley Krulickiu (Friend) on: Feb 03, 2019

• Mr.Mason was part of my childhood, putting up with sleepovers of teenage girls and opening his and Mary’s home to me most lunch hours during junior high. As young women we moved our sleepovers to Gimli and his kindness knew no bounds. Affectionately, we referred to him as Charlie when he was out of earshot but always Mr. Mason in person, because this gentleman deserved utmost respect. My heart breaks for Christa, Janice and all the boys. - Posted by: Sigrid Isford (Friend of Christa) on: Feb 03, 2019

• Mary, Janice, Christa & family, I was saddened to read about the passing of Charlie. I always called him Mr. Mason and I always felt so at home with him just making small talk. Yes, he was a quiet man but a great audience for your mom who was always good for the one liners or a quick joke. We will always remember your dad with great fondness. Please give your mom a hug from me. Deb (Crooks) Vockeroth - Posted by: Deb & Bob Vockeroth (Friends) on: Feb 02, 2019

• Pound for pound one of the strongest and toughest persons that one could ever meet. Inwardly and outwardly. One didn’t need to know Charlie for very long to know that he loved, above everything, the family that his Dear Mary and he raised. He also loved his extended family and his friends. He constantly demonstrated that caring and love for all. Charlie did everything well, except that he was so bad at accepting a compliment. Such a telling positive comment on who Charlie was. One was a better person for just having met and known Charlie. He talked the talk when the time was right, but he ALWAYS walked the walk. An incredible role model who by the example that he set, his teachings will thrive for many years to come. A recent example being when one of his devoted “young proteges” payed a dedication and a tribute to his Papa this past Friday night at the Century Arena. Cheers to you, Charlie, A Man Who Lived Life With a Quiet and Strong Grace about him. We shall raise and drink a gluten free beer at the edge of the Gimli Pier in your memory. Until we meet again, Sir. - Posted by: Angie & Grant Bannatyne (Friends) on: Feb 02, 2019