Charles Louis Philippe Levesque

It is with deep sadness and immense gratitude for a life so well lived that we say goodbye to our dear father, grandfather, partner, brother, and friend. Charlie passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, on Friday, June 26, 2026, after a brief and courageous battle with lung disease.

Charlie Levesque was born in 1940, in Edam, Saskatchewan, to Leon and Hariette Levesque. As the first of twelve children, he grew up in a loving home filled with younger siblings, setting the pattern for a lifetime of quietly caring for others. Licensed Practical Nursing was a newly regulated profession in Canada, and Charlie became one of the country's earliest male Licensed Practical Nurses, beginning his career at the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford.

Charlie met Ann at a dance in North Battleford, and they married in 1961, dancing their way through the next 59 years together. In 1966, seeking new opportunities, they moved to Port Alberni with their two young daughters to begin a new life on Vancouver Island. After a brief time at the plywood mill, Charlie returned to nursing at West Coast General Hospital. He later transferred to the maintenance department, where the regular hours suited family life, and remained there until his retirement in 1996.

Charlie and Ann loved to travel. Family holidays meant packing up the trailer and heading off on a new North American adventure each year. Later, they explored Europe, the United States, cruised to Alaska and through the Panama Canal, and made many cherished trips back to North Battleford to visit Charlie's large extended family.

Charlie always had a hobby or project to keep him busy. His interests ranged from rug hooking and hydroponic gardening to his iconic "Charlie's Wooden Toys." Many people treasure one of his colourful wooden trains, cars, or trucks. He was also an active member of the Sunshine Club, enjoying crib tournaments and floor curling, and was a familiar volunteer, ushering at community events and pouring countless cups of coffee at care home luncheons.

Charlie loved the water, and his grandsons treasure memories of camping with Grandpa and being joyfully tossed into the ocean surf or into the cool waters of Sproat Lake. Those carefree days by the water were filled with laughter and became some of their happiest memories.

His granddaughters remember Grandpa's warm cuddles when they were little and the many games of crib he almost always won. It was a rare—and celebrated—occasion when one of them finally managed to beat him. At family gatherings, he was content to sit quietly and take it all in, but when the moment was right, he'd surprise everyone with a perfectly timed joke that brought smiles and laughter.

After the loss of his beloved wife, Ann, in 2020, Dad expected the years ahead to be quiet and lonely. Life, however, had other plans. Meeting Wilma Walker began a wonderful new chapter filled with laughter, adventure, and new experiences. Charlie taught Wilma to dance, while she taught him to cook, proudly earning the title of "King of Mashed Potatoes." Together they tended their community garden, grew prize-winning tomatoes, completed countless jigsaw puzzles, and shared five remarkable years. Our family will always be grateful for the love, joy, and exceptional care Wilma brought into Dad's life.

Keeping his spirit alive and cherishing countless memories are his devoted partner, Wilma; daughters Louise (Lorne) of Port Alberni and Brenda (Barry) of Nanaimo; grandsons Colin and Tyler of Port Alberni; and granddaughters Nicole and Chelsea of Kelowna. He will also be dearly missed by his siblings, Yvette Ukrainetz, Trudy Ray, Paul (Carrie-Lee) Levesque, Frank Levesque, Ray Levesque, Marcel (Geri) Levesque, Terry (Brian) Thompson, Lou (Kristin) Levesque, and Suzanne (Ian) Couperthwaite, along with more than sixty nieces and nephews.

Charlie was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ann; his parents, Leon and Hariette Levesque; his brothers, Ernest and Will Levesque; his sisters-in-law, Janice and Pat Levesque; and his nephews, Clayton Ray, Daniel Levesque, and Richard Levesque.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie's memory may be made to Ty Watson House.

https://albernihospice.ca/how-you-can-help/make-a-donation.

Join us in celebrating Charlie's life - Saturday, July 11, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., at the Lawn Bowling Club, 4250 Wood Avenue, Port Alberni.