CHARLES PATRICK FLOOD

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CHARLES PATRICK FLOOD Very peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones, Charles Flood died at Hamilton General Hospital on Thursday, February 1, 2007. Charlie was born and raised in Charleswood, MB, and together with his wife Evelyn (nee Byles) raised a family of five children, first in Winnipeg, and from the 1960s onward in Ancaster, ON. He would share childhood stories of barefoot summers and winter skating along the Assiniboine River. He was the second eldest of a close knit family of eight children. He enlisted in the Second World War, serving as a Quartermaster Sergeant. It was while serving that he met Evelyn, his future wife of 38 years, a nursing sister. Charlie was a highly successful insurance industry executive. He co-founded and served as president of Hamilton-based Canadian General Life and related companies. He was an active gardener, golfer and cottager. He was passionate about his roses. He recorded a hole-in-one at his home course, The Hamilton Golf Country Club, in his 80s. He and his beloved wife Evelyn helped to create a lifetime of memories for their children and grandchildren through summers spent at Lake Boshkung in the Haliburton Highlands. Friends and relatives invariably referred to him as a true gentleman . From tellers at the local bank to the nursing staff at the hospital, all remarked on his warmth and charm. He enjoyed a vitality and quality of life for 87 years that was remarkable. Until his recent hospitalization, he lived independently in the family home. He continued with home renovations, making homemade strawberry jam and puttering in the yard until his death. Special thanks to family friend Irene Cole who was so important in helping him maintain his independent life. Neighbours and friends in Ancaster also demonstrated long-standing care and concern. The family thanks the staff of the McMaster Medical Centre and the Hamilton General Hospital including cardiac surgeon Dr. Chu. Thanks to Charlie's niece Joan, who provided emotional support throughout our parents' lives. Charlie was predeceased by his wife Evelyn; his parents, Daniel and Grace; his siblings, Alice, Annetta, Cyril, Helen, Margaret, Patrick and an infant brother Edward; and a granddaughter Darcie. He is survived by his children, James (Jessie), Kevan, Teresa (Grant), Jeff and Mary Lou. He was a beloved Grampa to Janine, Lucas, Liam, Grady, John, Paige, Mark, Claire and Thomas and a fondly regarded Uncle Charlie to many nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the Dodsworth Brown Funeral Home, Ancaster Chapel, 378 Wilson St. East, on Monday, February 5 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass to be held at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church (Wilson Street at Fiddler's Green Road), Tuesday, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Ancaster. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, P.O. Box 739 LCD1, Hamilton, ON L8N 3M8, would be appreciated. DODSWORTH BROWN ANCASTER CHAPEL 905-648-3852

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2007