CHARLES PAUL BALMER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

CHARLES PAUL BALMER (1930-2006) Peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, Charlie passed away on September 14, 2006 at the Grace General Hospital. Remaining to cherish Charlie's memory is his companion of 33 years, Valentine Bernardin and her children, Raymond (Barb), Monique (Colin), Charlie (Giselle), Albert (Dianne), Mercedes (Ron), Roland (Sandy), Yves (Deane) and Christiane (Dan); and their children and grandchildren. Charlie is also survived by his family in Switzerland. His sister Lucette (Jean) and her two daughters, Dominique and Nicole and his brother Jean-Claude and his two sons, Michel and Alain, and many great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Hélène and his sister-in-law Rose-Alice. Charlie was born on October 14, 1930 in Bussy sur Moudon, Switzerland. He came to Canada in 1952 where he worked as an ag-mechanic for Elie Motors until 1977 where he lived with the family of Edward and Pauline Chabot. Charlie had a passion for flying and was one of Manitoba's pioneer aerial applicators. On any given day he could be found at Valmar sitting at his drafting table, in his shop developing his latest prototype or in his hangar, where he spent many hours with his airplanes. He started Valmar in 1977 which grew to become a prominent manufacturer of pneumatic applicators. Charlie didn't just see Valmar as his business but also as his family and he had the utmost admiration for his partners and co-workers. He went on to influence the agriculture industry in many positive ways as an inventor, innovator, designer and entrepreneur. Charlie continued to develop new products up until his health prevented him from going to his shop. He has been referred to as an application-equipment genius and in 2004 he was inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame. To celebrate his life, a service will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 2:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church in Elie, MB. Private family interment will take place on Wednesday. Pallbearers: Raymond Rivard, Gilbert Bouchard, Sylvio Allard, Jim Gladstone, James Dufresne, Christa Vann, Roland Bernardin, Yves Bernardin, Charlene Caron, and Christian Caron. Honorary Pallbearer: Gary Dunbar and the late Gary Bock. Special thanks to Dr. Malmstrom and Terry Paton at the Elie Medical Centre for their support and compassion. Also, thank you to all the staff at the Grace Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie's memory can be made to CancerCare, 1160-675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg MB, R3E 0V9. CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2006