CHARLES LINDSAY ANNING

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CHARLES LINDSAY ANNING After a long, full and happy life, Charlie Anning passed away peacefully, with his daughter by his side, on January 31, 2008, at the age of 92. Charlie was preceded by his wife of 54 years, Ina (Hunter), parents Alfred and Jane Anning, sisters-in-law Elsie and Edna Hunter, Margaret (Bob) Morrison and niece Sandra (Dave) Sims. Remaining to cherish his memory are his sister Catherine Godfrey, daughters Jocelyn (Bruce) Hamilton, Barbara (Walker) Pateman. Charlie also leaves behind his loved and cherished grandchildren David (Virginia) Pateman, Douglas (Angela) Pateman, Trisha (Kevin) Baydock and his precious great-granddaughters, Sierra and Jade. Charlie is also survived by his brother-in-law and friend Gordon Hunter as well as many nieces and nephews. Charlie was born at home in the North End of Winnipeg and grew up in Elmwood. In 1940, he married Ina and they settled into their first home on Harbison Avenue. In 1942, Charlie joined the Air Force and was sent to England, remaining there until 1945. The majority of this time was spent at the airfield at Croft. By 1950, Jo and Barb were born and the family moved to a larger home on Roberta Ave. The evidence of Charlie's hard work and community involvement remains on Roberta to this day. He was instrumental in organizing the group paving of driveway approaches and the planting of rows of ornamental crabapple trees on the boulevards that continue to bloom every spring. Charlie worked in the newspaper publishing business for most of his life beginning as a young lad helping his dad at the Winnipeg Tribune. He worked his way up from stereotyper to Production Manager and Maintenance Supervisor. He was the last employee in the Tribune building, organizing the moving of printing presses, emptying out furniture and a variety of equipment, some of which his father had invented. He was dedicated and loyal to his family, his work and his friends. Charlie loved sports and participated in a variety of activates including baseball, rugby, semi professional hockey, curling at Elmwood on provincial level, weekly and eventually seniors rinks, as well as ice skating well into his 1980's. He enjoyed watching all sports and especially cheering on his children and grandchildren's activities. He never missed an opportunity to be in those stands. Charlie was always busy and was especially gifted with working with his hands. He could build or fix anything. He completed major renovations in both of the family homes, his daughter's home and built his beloved cottage at Ponemah. He created beautiful wood turned bowls and candle sticks as well as many wood carvings. It was nothing to find him climbing up a tree like a monkey, over helping a neighbour with a project, working on a new project of his own or just chatting with someone on the street. He would rather wear out than rust out . Charlie was a real people person. He was full of fun. With a twinkle, in his eye he loved to joke and tease. Wherever you would go, someone would come over to shake his hand and say Hello . Christmas night would see him dressed up as some kind of silly Santa giving out gifts after dinner or New Years in a diaper as Baby New Year. Charlie loved music. The Scottish and English music from his heritage remained his favourites. He especially enjoyed playing the piano and the violin his parents bought him when he was a youngster. As a young man he was in several Gilbert and Sullivan productions at St. Giles Church and in 1939 he and Mom danced in a performance for the then King and Queen of England. For many years Charlie sang in the choir at King Memorial and John Black Churches. Dad will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of family, dedication to the community and church, love of animals, his willingness to help others, honesty, hard work and being the best Grandpa in the whole world! A memorial service will be held at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main St. on Friday, February 22, at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. He'll always be remembered as a man both strong and good, Who gave his best for others And who did the best he could. He'll always be remembered for all the joy he brought, As a man who made a differ and a man who meant a lot.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 20, 2008