Charles Melville Richards

Charles Melville Richards (Charlie) was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, someone special and to family and friends who knew him best, Charles will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Charles was born on September 12, 1915 at home in Steelton (Sault Ste. Marie), Ontario, the son of Charles Swinfin and Effie Safflona Richards. Charles grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and was raised with five siblings. He had two older brothers, Kenny and Cyril; two younger brothers, Everett and Norman; and one younger sister, Effie. He and his siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years growing up on the family homestead on 4th Line.

As a young boy, Charles had a number of interests. Like most children, he enjoyed playing and making up games, and had an intense curiosity about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. Charles was an active child who took part in baseball, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, fishing, and hunting. In his spare time he liked to whittle and draw (artist), and discover how things worked. He was a Sea Cadet with the Newman Corps in Sault Ste. Marie. To Charles, however, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his siblings and friends.

A typical teenager, Charles had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He helped with family chores and gardening at the homestead, and cherished the walks he took with his mother in the forest. He graduated from Sault Technical School in 1938. He enjoyed some classes more than others, two of his favourites being Mineralogy and Analytical Chemistry. The teachers he enjoyed learning from the most were Mr. Hone and Mr. Shearer.

Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, Charles enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. While growing up, some of his best friends were Les Burch, Louis Davieaux, Gordon Tier and Raymond Richards. Later in life, he became friends with Ed Bondar, John Constable, Sammy Dick, Dick Gillespie, Earl McKie, Murdo Miller, Allan MacDonald, Jock MacFarlane, Tommy Craig, Peter McGinnley, and Otto Hein.

On February 17, 1941 Charles exchanged wedding vows with Jean Geraldine Nisbett at St. John's Anglican Church of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Empathic and loyal, Charles was committed to making his new family happy. Charles worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Charles was blessed with three children; two daughters, Norma Jean and Shirley; and one son, Peter. Another blessing for Charles was the gift of seven grandchildren: Sandi, Shari, Trevor, Jennifer, Sean, Colin, and Aubrey, along with eight great-grandchildren: Andrew, Patrick, Michael, Nicholas, Ben, Cameron, Madeline and Aailyah.

Having an analytical mind that rose to challenges, Charles enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, he worked diligently and did his best to succeed in every endeavour. Throughout his working career, he took on the role of analytical chemist, pump evaluator, draftsman (like his father), and designer. He was initially employed for one year at Charlie Tallack's Garage; two years at L. B. United Mines; three years at Chromium Mining and Smelting; nine years at Northern Foundry & Machine Co.; and 21 years at Algoma Steel. Charles always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done. He “entertained” his fellow co-workers with his acute sense of humour, his wit, his cartoons, and his poetry.

Charles was an Army Veteran. He was in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada and underwent training at Niagara-on-the-Lake and Nanaimo, British Columbia; he served garrison duty and continued tropical training in Jamaica before being mobilized for additional training (pre-D-Day) in England. Charles saw action during World War II when the Regiment mobilized to France and was wounded August 2, 1944 at Bourgebus Ridge (near Caen), Normandy, France. He held the rank of Private (Piper), and served as stretcher bearer (along with his fellow bandsmen). He received several awards recognizing him for his service, including a Voluntary Service Medal; Defence Medal; 1939-1945 Medal; 1939-1945 Star; France & Germany Star. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother-in-arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

Charles enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were bagpipe playing, writing (prose and poetry), sketching, painting, inventing, photography, fishing, fly tying, canoeing, hunting (with a camera, not a gun), bird watching, tinkering, back-yard mechanics, and was the original Canadian recycler. He enjoyed playing cribbage and spent many evenings into the wee hours playing solitaire while his wife, Jean, kept him company. Endless hours were spent in conversation with his brothers, his sister, and brother-in-law Bob Nisbett. He was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others, including the younger generations.

Throughout his life, Charles was a thinker and problem solver. He was an active member of the Soo Pipe Band, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Pipe Band, Royal Canadian Legion, and the Algoma Rod & Gun Club.

Charles was a man who took pride in upholding his beliefs. Politically, Charles was a supporter of Reserve 2000.

Charles enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included the army reunion trip to Jamaica; visiting his daughter, Shirley, in Colorado; visiting his brother Cyril in British Columbia; visiting his sister Effie in California; visiting his sister-in-law Joan in Alberta; vacationing in Las Vegas with daughters Norma Jean and Shirley and son-in-law Reg. A fond memory was a canoe trip down the Goulais River with friends Kostas Bieliunas, John Lazowsky and Don Russell. Charles enjoyed the outdoors, especially the shoreline of Lake Superior, Batchewana Bay, Harmony Bay, and later spent as much time as he could at the camp at Goulais Bay.

Charles was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. His first four-legged friend was Towser, a border collie. Later, his favorite was Chief, a Samoyed dog. They were best friends for ten years. His family was rounded out by his children's dogs: Ceilidh, Samantha, Rocky, Murdoch and Sadie.

When Charles’s retirement from Algoma Steel finally arrived in June 23, 1976, he was well prepared. He enjoyed this phase of his life with his wife and family while continuing to live on White Oak Drive in Sault Ste. Marie. He found ongoing pleasure in playing the bagpipes, reading, bird watching, writing, walking in the backyard bush, and fixing things. Every day-trip taken with his kids at the wheel became a cherished memory. Hearing his philosophies was an enlightenment to those who were fortunate enough to share those moments. It was at a time like this when many of us were introduced to “The Theory of Interlocking Orbits”. He continued to stay in touch with his old friends and hour-long phone conversations were the norm.

Charles passed away on March 7, 2013 at Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) just down the road from where he grew up. He is survived by his wife Jean; children Norma Jean (Reg), Shirley, Peter (Patricia); grandchildren Sandi (Rony), Shari (Gary), Trevor, Jennifer (Greg), Sean (Vanessa), Colin, Aubrey; great-grandchildren Andrew, Patrick, Michael, Nicholas, Ben, Cameron, Madeline and Aailyah. Services were held at Arthur Funeral Home, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on March 11, 2013. Charles was cremated and laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Simply stated, Charles was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Charles leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished moments. The trademark plaid shirt will always re-kindle fond memories of the stories, the dry sense of humour, the wisdom, the guidance, and the dimpled smile of a man who will live in our hearts forever. Everyone whose lives he touched will always remember Charles Melville Richards.

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RICHARDS, Charles Melville – It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Charles Melville Richards on Thursday, March 7, 2013 in his 98th year. Beloved husband of Jean for 72 years. Father of Norma Jean Avery (Reg), Shirley Patricia Miller and Peter Alan Leslie Richards (Patricia). Poppa of Sandi Dal Cin (Rony), Shari Robinson (Gary), Trevor Avery, Jennifer Avery Hutton (Greg), Sean Miller (Vanessa), Colin Richards and Aubrey Richards. Poppa-poppa of Andrew, Patrick and Michael Dal Cin, Nicholas and Benjamin Robinson, Cameron and Madeline Hutton and Aailyah Wathier-Miller. Brother of Norman (Dorothy) and predeceased by Kenneth Campbell (late Pearl), Cyril Richards (late Chris), Everett Richards (Joan) and Effie Barnes (late Gary). Brother-in-law of the late Robert Nisbett (Eileen), Kitty Vipond (late Ivit), Joan Hutchinson (late Alex), late Donald Nisbett (Edna) and Dot Wildbore (late Stan). Survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Charles served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (P.L.) during WWII as a piper and stretcher-bearer, and was wounded in action in Normandy. He was a former Pipe Major of the Soo Pipe Band, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 and the Sault Ste. Marie Rod & Gun Club. He retired from the Algoma Steel Corporation in 1976. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Sunday, March 10, 2013 from 6-9 pm. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 11 am. Rev. Bruce McLeish officiating. Cremation to follow. Memorial contributions to the Algoma Residential Community Hospice (ARCH) or the Sault Area Hospital would be appreciated by the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com. RICHARDS, Charles B46451

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We will remember them.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Monday, March 10, 2013 at 10:45 am for a memorial service for the late Charles Richards.