Joseph Charlie Charles Falta

      “Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Joseph Charles Falta, it summarized in every way who he was. He was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around him and always thinking before acting. He was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything he did. He was a friendly person who truly cared about those around him.

      Charlie was born on October 30, 1934 at Misericordia Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was the son of Charlie and Florence Irma (Tromley) Falta. Raised in First 8 years in Winnipeg, Manitoba, then Victoria, British Columbia, he was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, he learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that he would carry with him throughout his life.

      Charlie enjoyed learning. He always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Charlie was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. He often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Charlie was painstaking and accurate in his efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. He graduated from Victoria High School in 1954. Charlie enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. His favorite class in high school was shop (Mechanics and Woodworking).

      Most folks would say that Charlie was shy until they got to know him. Those who were privileged to know him well learned that he was a solid, good friend. Charlie was reluctant to generalize about people, and he based his friendships on his personal experiences. Because of this, Charlie best trusted those people that he truly knew. He was concerned about how those around him felt, and he always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. He could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that he made, Charlie kept. While growing up, some of his best friends were Jack Brend, Ken Burgoyne, Fraser & Donnie MacDonald, and Lloyd & Noel Mann. Later in life, he became friends with Cliff Shumaker, and Tom Edgar.

      Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Charlie. On July 31, 1964 Charlie married Helen Vane Kent at Parliament Buildings of Victoria, British Columbia. He was totally committed to Helen and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Charlie naturally sensed his spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Charlie disliked conflict, he did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

      Charlie was a good father to his children. He had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because he trusted emotions, Charlie was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way he seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around him, always thinking before acting. In addition, Charlie was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around him might be, he seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Charlie was blessed with two children, son, Kenneth Charles Falta and daughter, Edith Helen Falta (Jones). They were also blessed with two grandsons, Harley Falta and Torin Josef Falta.

      If you gave Charlie a deadline, he would meet it. At work, Charlie was always on task. Without hesitation, Charlie could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. His primary occupation was Yarrows Shipyard Worker Steel Allocation. He was employed at many different jobs over the years: Rock Gas Propane Delivery, Walter Walker Oil, Delivery, VMD (Victoria Machinery Depo), He owned and operated Falta Craft Campers for over 10 years, taught the B. E. S. T. Program at Camosun College and CMHA Manufact. During that time, Charlie excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. He was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Charlie was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Charlie had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. He was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

      Charlie was in REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) in the Canadian Forces. He seemed to thrive on the routines offered up by the military. Being a literal thinker with a calm exterior helped him handle the rigors of the military. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Sniper.

      Charlie liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Charlie's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Charlie preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on his hobbies. His favorite pursuits were hunting, fishing, gun smithing, gun collecting, reading, camping, and anything to do with war and history. Charlie was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying his hobbies all by himself and could often be found just reading about his favorite pastimes.

      While thorough and measured in his approach to things, Charlie often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them. He was like that with sports. He also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports. In this way, he was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite teams whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were baseball.

      Due to his excellent organizational skills, Charlie was a welcome addition to the professional and community organizations to which he belonged. Charlie could bring established, successful methods to the discussion table, along with a generous helping of common sense. Charlie was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. Throughout his later years, Charlie was an active member of the South Vancouver Island Rangers.

      Doing things to help others seemed to come naturally to Charlie. He never set out to gain individual recognition, but the praise and accolades given him for his many and varied efforts throughout his life were well deserved. Some of his most prestigious awards included Trophies and spoons for Marksmanship.

      Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Charlie had smooth sailing. It was often taken for granted that he was the trip planner. He would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options. Favorite vacations included The Nimpkish Valley, camping all over the island, and our family vacation to the Oregon Coast.

       His family was rounded out by his cats: Ginger, Rodney,Honey,Shy, Pumpkin and his goldfish.,. Charlie was as loyal to his pets as they were to him.

      When Charlie's retirement finally arrived in 1990, he was well prepared. He had taken the time to learn about his various options and chose his course wisely. His new life involved relocating to Black Creek, British Columbia, then Finally to Campbell River, British Columbia. In retirement, he found new pleasure in hunting, fishing, gunsmithing, gun collecting, reading, camping, and anything to do with war and history. Even in retirement, Charlie continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him.

      Charlie passed away on November 27, 2011 at 7:35 am. At Campbell River General Hospital, Campbell River, British Columbia. Charlie had a 30 year battle with Diabetes, bladder cancer, kidney and heart problems. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Falta; son Ken (Noreena) Falta; daughter Edith (Darren) Jones; grandsons, Harley and Torin Falta. Services were held at the family home in Campbell River, BC on Friday, December 16,2011 at 1:00 p. M. Charlie was laid to rest in his favorite hunting spot in the Nimpkish Valley in the Spring of 2012.

      It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Charlie was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Charlie was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of man to whom everyone was drawn. He was thorough and practical. Charlie Falta was very literal with his words. You always knew where you stood with Charlie. He will be missed.

* * * * * * * * * *

Falta, Joseph Charles

1934-2011

Charlie was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 30, 1934 and passed away in Campbell River, BC on November 27, 2011 at the age of 77 after a long and courageous battle.

In his younger years, he worked at the Victoria Shipyards, truck driving, owned his own business building Falta Craft Campers, Camosun College teaching mechanics and woodworking, and for CMHA Manufact.

In 1964, Charlie and Helen got married in Victoria, BC. They raised their family there and in 1992 they moved to Black Creek for their retirement.

Charlie’s passions were hunting, fishing, gun smithing and he was quite the history buff.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Helen; son Ken (Noreena) Falta; daughter Edith (Darren) Jones; grandsons Harley and Torin Falta; as well as other family and friends.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Kerry Baerg, 3rd Floor Staff at CRDGH, and to his homecare workers for their love and care for him thru this difficult time.

A Celebration of Life for Charlie will be held on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the family home in Campbell River, BC.

Arrangements under the direction of Piercy's-Mt. Washington Funeral Home, Courtenay, BC.