Chuck Dunn

Charles (Chuck) Dunn C.D.

With loved ones by his side, Charles Dunn passed away on August 12, 2022 at Ridgewood Veterans Wing. The youngest of five children of Charles and Adeline Dunn, he was born on June 9, 1944 in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

At age fifteen, Chuck hitchhiked to Montreal where he lived until shortly before his eighteenth birthday when he found a home in the army. He served seventeen years in the RCR and, after a medical remuster, another nine years in finance. He thrived on the varied duties of an infanteer and in his heart he was always RCR. Postings took him to many bases in Canada, with NATO in Germany three times and with the UN to Cyprus. After release, Chuck worked as a civilian for the CAF and the RCMP.

When Chuck met his wife Glennys almost fifty-eight years ago, he found another family including extended ones in the UK and NB. He loved them as they did him. He was a wonderful and supportive father to Shannon (Daniel) and Nicola (Tim); grandfather to Jessica (Graeme), Phillip (Izzy) and Abigail; great grandfather to Hannah and Emma. The “kids” gave him endless joy and his love for and pride in them knew no bounds.

In recent years, family has included dear friends Bob and Papa Steeves who shared their home and time with Chuck.

Plagued by injuries and illness for forty years, Chuck never gave up even when a stroke rendered him two years old. He faced the daunting tasks of learning to walk, talk and read again as well as everyday things like dressing and feeding. Yet, he rarely complained and continued to find joy in life. He was a man with an indomitable spirit and great courage.

Chuck was a soldier ahead of his time believing strongly in gender and racial equality.

Chuck loved to travel exploring city neighbourhoods and country lanes, delving into history, and chatting with the locals. Great trips in Canada, USA, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean were part of his lifestyle. Nature was a wonder to him, a never-ending delight of fauna and flora. He was passionate about animals and cherished his many fur kids; zoos featured prominently in his travels. As a voracious reader, libraries and bookstores were important to him. He enjoyed music of many genres and was as enthusiastic about local concerts as about Broadway shows. He happily added his fine voice to the stereo, singing along with Don Williams and John Denver. He loved to dance but was a danger to all when he did the Twist!

Chuck’s generosity was boundless and all about the joy of giving, He never needed a special day or reason. A romantic, he often arrived home with flowers and liked to tuck love notes in Glennys’ lunches. He enjoyed “chick flicks” and his female colleagues benefitted from his critiques.

Chuck was predeceased by his son Colin; siblings David, Suzanne, Ann and Joan; his chosen family – parents Daphne and James Weir, sisters Dawn and Kimberley.

The family is grateful for the innumerable doctors and health care workers who attended Chuck through the years; the SJRH rehab team, the RVW team who cared for Chuck over the past seventeen months, Dr. Luan Le to whom we are so thankful for his diligence and empathy, and to numerous specialists here and in Ottawa.

Thank you to the many people who enhanced Chuck’s days in the decade since his stroke; those who took the time to chat, who watched out for him on his solitary walks, who remembered his sweet tooth, and his good neighbours.

Chuck will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Honouring Chuck’s wishes, there will no visitation or funeral.

In his memory, please do a random act of kindness for a stranger. Donations to the SPCA or Salvation Army would be most appreciated.

                                                       “Until the twelfth of Never”