Charles John Ariston

Charles passed away peacefully at Amherst Private Hospital in Vancouver, on January 20, 2015. Charles will be remembered fondly, by his three sons, Charles Jr (Rosalie), Ted (Mia) and Michael (Meg) as well as his six grandchildren. Born June 23rd, 1923 in Prague, Czech Republic, Charles passed away at the ripe old age of 91. He led a life of high adventure, traveling widely and engaging in various vocations. After surviving in WWII, he made his way to Papua New Guinea, via Great Britain, Kenya and India. In PNG, after a period working as a patrol officer for the Australian Administration, he eventually became a teacher and high school principal. In 1967, he married a pretty Dutch girl named Renee Bertine Motshagen (who passed away July 18, 2001). The marriage lasted nine years, and in 1976, against Charles’ wishes, they were divorced. Charles came to Canada in 1979, and in his 36 years here, he served as a restaurant manager (The Pantry), an investment advisor, a gardener (UBC), and a curator at a Unitarian Church. Charles retired in 1995 and continued to travel, most notably climbing to the first base camp of Mt Everest at the age of 74, and later, finding his way out to Timbuktu in Mali. After such an active life, his final years were difficult for him. His body began to slow down, limiting the things his mind still wanted to do. According to his final wishes, his ashes will be laid to rest in Canberra, Australia, alongside the remains of the woman he always loved, Renee Bertine.

Rest in peace Charles Sr – until we meet again.

Memorial Lunch - at Hamilton Harron Funeral Home

5390 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC

Tuesday January 27, 2015 at 1:00pm