Charles (Charlie) Hall

Charles (Charlie) Hall born December 7, 1920 in Alnwick, Northumberland, England, passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Marge, all his children and loved ones around him on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 88 years of age.  His cheerful disposition, zest for life and sense of humor remained with him to the very end.  Charlie joined the Royal Air Force at the young age of 17.  It was during WWII that he came to Canada, was stationed at 15 Wing Air Base and met the love of his life, Marge, in 1942. They were married in Moose Jaw on March 1st, 1944 shortly before Charlie was recalled back to England.  Thus, starting the incredible journey of their enduring and everlasting love for one another through the many challenges that would come their way.  Marge, with a their newborn daughter, boarded a Trans-Atlantic ship and endured a harrowing journey across the ocean to rejoin Charles.  In 1949, Marge and Charlie, now with three children, returned to Canada where he obtained employment with the CPR in Moose Jaw and remained there until his retirement in 1980.  During the years their family would grow giving Marge and Charlie five daughters and one son.  Some of Charlie’s favorite pastimes were joining his children in tobogganing, skating, playing games and going on family outings.  Charlie’s grandchildren also benefited from his enthusiasm for “fun and games” and enjoyed many great times on various summer holidays and family events.  Charlie was very competitive in sports, especially hockey, and became known as “the slasher” to his teammates.  Charlie also introduced broomball to Moose Jaw and started the first Broomball League which still exists today.  He also enjoyed jogging, racquetball and golf.  Charlie enjoyed the simplest things in life, a walk in the park, listening to a funny story or joke and especially everything to do with nature.  His interest in nature led him to develop a thriving bee business with over 200 hives yielding thousands of pounds of honey each year.  As a result of this business, he became widely known as the “honey man” and continued beekeeping well after retiring from the CPR in 1980.  With the family grown Charlie and Marge enjoyed several years of traveling before purchasing a winter home in Mesa, Arizona where they spent eighteen wonderful years. Charlie’s optimistic, cheerful attitude and positive outlook on life remained steady even when he became totally blind.  He still enjoyed listening to music, singing, hearing his family all around him laughing and joking and indulging his “sweet tooth”.  He spent the remaining three years of his life entertaining his family, and the staff and visitors at Providence Place with his various renditions of his favorite songs.  Through all of this, his devoted, loving wife, Marge and his family were at his side and remained so until his peaceful passing.  Charlie was predeceased by his parents, Lilias and James Hall, brother Teddy (Betty), sister, Isobel, and brother-in-law, Bill Taylor.  He is survived by his devoted wife, Marjorie (Marge), children Sharon (Jim) Kuntz, Joan (Trevor) Staseson, Carolyn Deets (Frank Murphy), Larry (Lorraine) Hall, Debbie (Kelly) MacKay, Denise (Brad) Parry, 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. There will be a viewing for family and friends from 1:00 – 3:00 pm on Tuesday the 14th of July, 2009 at Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Cremation to follow.  A Celebration of Charlie’s life will be held at Moose Jaw Funeral Home at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.  A tea and social at the Royal Canadian Legion will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 2550 Broad St. Regina, Sask., S4P 9Z9 can be made in Charlie’s memory.