Charles (Charlie) Leslie Young lost his brief battle with cancer on August 10, leaving this world peacefully at the age of 79. He was very grateful for the care and kindness he received at the end of his life from the doctors, nurses and staff at Crossroads Hospice.
Charlie was predeceased by his father George Ernest Young, mother Kathleen Quinn and stepfather Len Stovold.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathy of 57 years. Family was at the heart of who Charlie was and he always believed that convincing Kathy to embark with him on life’s journey made him the luckiest man in the world. They were married in Downsview, Ontario on May 24, 1963 by Kathy’s father Reverend Francis Stevens.
Charlie was a proud father and grandfather and will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Cheryl (Neil), Laurie (John), grandson Keenan Kerswell, nephews Brian and Andy Lister and his extended family in England.
His wonderful sense of humour, large heart and compassionate nature drew people to him, and he will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his church family at Inlet United Church, members of the Nothin Dragon Masters Dragon Boat Team, choir members of Choral Connections and friends at Princess Gate.
Charlie was born in Brighton, Sussex, England on Dec 28, 1940 and immigrated to Canada with his Mom in 1944, following his father’s death in the war. He lived on a farm in Guildford, Ontario, before moving to Toronto where he graduated from Oakwood Collegiate in 1958. In 1961 he earned a certificate in Public Health from Ryerson in Toronto and in 1984 he obtained his Graduate Diploma and Masters Degree in Education from Simon Fraser University in B.C.
His working life saw him take on many roles in Public Health in Toronto, Kingston and B.C. including Chief Health Inspector on the North Shore. He spent 30 years of his career as a Professor in the Environmental Health Program at B.C.I.T. in Burnaby, retiring from B.C.I.T. in 2001. His commitment to his profession and his students earned him many accolades and awards. He was most proud of having received awards from his peers, including the George Elliot Award for Lifetime Contributions to Public Health in British Columbia in 2001 and the CIPHI 100 Years of Distinction in Public Health Protection in 2013, which paid tribute to the high professional standards he upheld in his work and teaching as well as to the leadership roles he took on in his professional organizations.
Charlie was a real gentleman who unfailingly saw the good in others. He was a gentle soul with a huge heart who gave back to whatever community he was part of. His students often spoke of the enthusiasm he brought to the classroom, but even more of the mentorship that he gave to them. If you were Charlie’s student, you could count on him for support and advice long after you had left his classroom. Charlie’s desire to make his community a better place meant that he volunteered with a number of community organizations, usually taking on leadership roles in them. Groups as diverse as the B.C. Summer Swimming Association, Meals on Wheels, Inlet United Church, Dania Care Home and Strata Councils all benefited from his wisdom, his energy, and his wry humour. He enjoyed travelling; he and Kathy particularly enjoyed the cruises they took prior to and during retirement. He was passionate about sports and over the years took part as a team member or spectator in football, baseball, hockey, tennis, golf and dragon boating. Music gave him much joy. He loved singing and was a member of various choirs over the years and he was also a regular at concerts and the opera.
A service of remembrance will be held on Friday, August 28 at 2:00 P.M. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the service will be by invitation only and will be live streamed for those who wish to view it. The link is: https://www.dignitycanada.com/portcoquitlam/
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Association or the SPCA.
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