Charles Auguste Poirier born July 27, 1929 in New Carlisle, Quebec and died July 27, 2019 at Pinecrest Home having been a Pinecrest resident for only 16 days. Charlie, as he was fondly known had an exciting life serving his country with the Canadian Army from 1950 to 1973. Prior to being in the military Charlie was employed as a dining car waiter for the Canadian National Railway. In 1950 the CN railway employees went on strike and Charlie was given the suggestion by the Union President he might like to sign up with the Canadian military to fight in Korea. He thought that was an excellent idea and travelled to Sherbrooke, P.Q. to enlist and was accepted. His first posting was Petawawa, Ont., and then to Shilo, Man. for basic training. While in Shilo, he accepted an opportunity to go to Tacoma, Washington, USA for further army training. That accomplished, he joined others to leave for Fort Louis, just South of Seattle and then on to Yakima, Washington for yet more special training before being sent to Korea, where he served for one year.
Back in Canada, Charlie, was again sent overseas by the Canadian military to Germany for a year. This was very fortuitous for Charlie as in Germany he met the lovely Margaret Violet Ann Gosling who was to become his wife. Margaret was employed in Germany by the British government and somehow they 'clicked'. They were wed in lpswich, England in September 1955 and in December 1955 Margaret accompanied Charlie back to Canada where Charlie was posted to Winnipeg and their son Martin was born in 1957. By this time Charlie decided to make his career with the Canadian Armed Forces being posted to Rivers, Man., with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. From April 1965 to April 1966 Charlie served in Vietnam as part of Canada's commitment to the International Commission for Supervision and Control. Margaret waited out this posting back in Shilo. Back in Canada he was posted to Picton, Ont., where he was joined by his wife and son, remaining there for three years. This was followed by a posting to Uplands, near Ottawa, where, as a Sergeant he served a further three years before retiring from the Canadian Army in 1973. After a short retirement, Charlie went to work for Parks Canada in Cornwall, Ont. On July 28, 1989 Charlie was awarded a special commendation from the Government and People of
Canada, signed by the then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Canada's Governor General Jeanne Sauve, recognizing his 33 years of loyal service to his country.
ln 1992, Charlie and Margaret moved to Kenora to be close to their son Martin, who was living in Kenora and employed by Bell Canada. They resided on Valley Drive for 20 years then moved to Benidickson Court. Charlie's love of the military continued in Kenora as he joined the Royal Canadian Legion, Br.12, Kenora where he was a dedicated volunteer especially on the Poppy Campaign the two weeks before Remembrance Day. He was a long serving member of the Legion Colour Party. For his untiring efforts and outstanding service with the Royal Canadian Legion he was presented with a Certificate of Merit on May 7, 2006. He was a devoted volunteer at Pinecrest Home having spent every day at Pinecrest where his late wife was a resident from December 2010 through October 2018, not only being there for her but during her eight years at Pinecrest, he also helped where needed at the home volunteering in many aspects of the home's social life for the residents.
Charlie was an active member of the Knights of Columbus (KC), Council 2006 joining in 1999. He was a very active member who assisted in catering the many KC's social events, helped at the Knights fundraising bingo games, selling tickets for special occasions and willingly volunteered to serve whenever K of C needs arose. He and his wife were proud to receive special recognition from the K of C on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Celebration in 2005. Charlie was a member of the New Horizons Senior Centre and very much enjoyed the Tuesday lurches with many of his senior friends.
Charlie's wish upon his death, and if friends so desire, a donation in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
A Memorial Service will take place at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.
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