DR. CHARLES (CHARLIE) A. FERGUSON

Condolences & Memories (19 entries)

• My deepest sympathy to you Pat and your wonderful sons and family. I remember you all from horse back riding long ago. Working at HSC I saw Dr Ferguson on numerous occasions. I had always said hello and he always greated me with a chearful hello as well. I will always remember you and him laughing with my parents, who have both passed in the last few years, while us kids would ride the horses in shows. My deepest condolences. Wendy Gavel - Posted by: Wendy Thomas Gavel (connected thro horses long ago madine name Gavel) on: Sep 29, 2014

• Dear Pat, very saddened to hear about your husband's passing. My deepest condolences from both Robyn and I. - Posted by: Garry Peters () on: Sep 25, 2014

• I'm saddened by your loss Pat, Ross and Neil but ever grateful I had the opportunity to come to know some of the qualities that made Dr. Ferguson a giant among men! He has always been part of my professional working life and I just assumed he'd always be there. I worked with him while a student and nurse in Children's Clinic and the Child Protection Centre. He was an amazing listener, communicator and trailblazer in so many ways. I'll always remember him inviting me (then young in years and non physician) to co- present at Medical Grand Rounds. He personified the new catch prase "employee engagement" in recognizing people, no matter their station as having something to contribute. I'll remember his steadying, quiet influence...a dad was yelling at me and causing a ruckus in the entrance of the old Children's Clinic. Unbeknownst to me he'd heard the commotion and came out to stand in the reception area. The situation deescalated, I turned around and there he stood, ready to step in if needed, but letting it play out and offering his sage advice. He will not be forgotten. The world is a better place because of him and the influence he had on so many. - Posted by: Cathie Morrison (Colleague and friend) on: Sep 09, 2014

• I remember Charlie clearly when your son Neil and our son Chris started Kindergarten at St Norbert immersion school. Our kids seemed to click and befriend each other. You and Pat came to our house to see what kind of a home our son came from. I appreciated that more than you ll ever know. We knew you were caring parents and cared who your son was befriending. We got to know Charlie as a pediatrician also and just appreciated him. Pat, we are so sorry for your loss. We lost touch when our kids grew up but you were never far from our mind. Thinking of you and praying for comfort. - Posted by: () on: Sep 05, 2014

• Sometimes neighbours become friends and sometimes those friends become so dear that they are chosen 'family' - such as Pat & Charlie became for my late parents, Dr. Jack and Mabel McPhedran in their St. Norbert days. McPhedran hearts go out to Pat, Neil and Ross at this time of great loss and transition, with tribute to the passion, vision and countless kindnesses from Charlie to our family. - Posted by: Marilou McPhedran (Family Friend) on: Aug 29, 2014

• I was more than fortunate to have met and worked with Dr Ferguson during his tenure as Director of Children's Clinic. I quickly learned he was so much more than his title. His office door was always open and staff were welcomed to drop in to receive his down to earth practical heartfelt advice. There was always someone perched on his desk engaged in deep conversation. He always made time for anyone no matter how busy his day was. He had countless anecdotes on virtually any subject matter. Charlie possessed the rare combination of humility, genuineness, wisdom, sharp wit and humor. He was both an old soul and modern day hero. We also shared a mutual love of soccer and he was amused to hear my antics as women's soccer league coach. I was fortunate to ride the bus with him several times this year when my car was being serviced. He again gave me invaluable advice as to how to survive bus transit transportation. He still called me 'kiddo' despite me being well into middle age and when I pointed this out~ he said with the infamous twinkle in his eye~ I would always be a kid compared to him... I was blessed to have known him...He will be deeply missed, cherished and not forgotten. There is no one quite like him. Deepest sympathies to his family - Posted by: Ingrid Scham (work colleague, nurse and friend) on: Aug 27, 2014

• It was with sorrow that we learnt of Dr. Charles Ferguson's passing. Both of us admired and respected his work some 30 or 40 years ago when we were working at the Health Sciences Centre. Pat, since I met you in a completely different environment, at a much later time, I never made the connection between you now and Charles then until yesterday. I am so sorry for your loss. Pat, please accept our sincerest condolences at this sad time. - Posted by: Claudette and Don Cates (Friend) on: Aug 27, 2014

• It's been inspiring to read about the influence Charlie had on an eclectic selection of people. As the operator of a boarding stable where the Ferguson's champion Arabian 'Clyde' spent a fair amount of time circa early 90's, I had much more contact with the vivacious Pat. However, I have a handful of distinct memories of Charlie: the first time I saw him, he drove that vintage Jag (top down) of his along my modest farm driveway, accompanied by the family dog 'Nicki' [sic?] riding shotgun. The Jag was kind of intimidating, but both man and dog quickly put me at my ease with their casual good humour. While attending a horse association banquet a year or two later, I looked up from my table to see Pat and Charlie up on an elevated dance floor; they had adapted some graceful jive-ish moves to a modern song. As they covered the dance floor they laughed handsomely, and held each other's gaze in a moment that clearly belonged to just the two of them. The Ferguson's had a small fleet of vehicles, so I was surprised to spot Charlie one day on a city bus. Pat later explained that he preferred to take public transit to work for a variety of reasons. Charlie preferred to avoid personally dealing with commuter traffic; it was economical; he could read/rest/reflect/interact with others...and the 'environment' was no doubt another factor. I'm sure there are other august individuals who ride the bus, but Charlie's egalitarian and pragmatic approach toward transportation spoke to his unassuming nature. It's been years since I've seen the Fergusons (having moved out of province), but I can imagine the figurative and literal void his passing has created for so many. But oh, what a life well lived! My sincere condolences to Pat, the boys, and Charlie's sister et al. Even in their loss and grief, I feel sure Charlie's service cannot help but be an uplifting farewell to a uncommon man. - Posted by: Kathy Muller (friend of family) on: Aug 27, 2014

• I had the great fortune of working with Charlie during my 10 years in the Children's Clinic and later when I returned to Children's Centre with students. His open door policy not only for staff, but for patients and many allied health workers was unparalled. He always found time to answer questions and provide sage advice. His tenacious lobbying for those less fortunate was his legacy that he will always be remembered for. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Linda Katz (Levitt) (Co-worker Children's Clinic) on: Aug 26, 2014

• There are not enough adjectives to describe what a wonderful man Charlie was, nor how I & everyone who knew him, loved him. We are limited by language. Intelligent, honest, sincere, great sense of humour, humble, completely lacking in ego. One of Charlie's greatest attributes was his ability to make you feel like you were the only one in the room & that what you were saying was actually interesting. Rare among great people. Among other things, we shared coaching philosophies & a love of classic cars together; he with his Jag, me with my Morgan. He was my friend. When he set up the Child Abuse Centre at HSC, he became THE medical expert in understanding & describing these previously unknown physical traumas that abused children were experiencing. He was then able, for the first time ever, to medically describe & document these traumas for the courts. In perfecting these presentations along with indisputable photographic proof, the success rate of prosecuting these abusers went up exponentially. I know this was extremely satisfying for him & I was thrilled to be part of the team. Thanks to Charlie, many children were rescued from abusive relationships & in some cases, even death. - Posted by: Garry Allan (Colleague/Friend) on: Aug 26, 2014

• I First met Dr. Ferguson in the late 60's/early 70's while working as a very inexperienced medical transcriptionist in Children's Hospital Medical Records Dept. Years later our paths crossed again through Dr. Jack Hildes and the Northern Medical Unit and the Dept. of Community Health Sciences. Over the years Charlie gave my husband and I invaluable advice while dealing with the raising of our three sons and we will be forever grateful. We were a small part of his life but he was a large part of ours. Love especially that he took time out of his busy schedule to attend my retirement celebration from the Dept. of Community Health Sciences in 1998. Sincere condolences to Pat and the family from Lou & Lorne Frederick. - Posted by: Lou Frederick (co-worker) on: Aug 25, 2014

• I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Dr. Ferguson's (or as I called him...Fergie Ferg) passing. He was the kind of person you expected to be around forever....he just had this special energy. I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Ferguson for 10 years and I adore every memory I have with him and all the laughs we shared. I'm even more happy that after not working with him for the last five years that I was able to see that smile once again and listen to his stories at his retirement party. To Pat and the family, you're in my thoughts and prayers. I truly know what a special person he is and can only imagine the loss you're feeling right now xo. - Posted by: Brandi Sawka (Co-worker) on: Aug 25, 2014

• CHARLIE WAS AN AMAZING WONDERFUL CARING MAN AND OUR DEAR ABUSED CHILDREN HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR DUE TO HIS CARING AND COMPASSIONATE NATURE WE OFTEN MEET IN THE HALLS AT C.H. AND IT WAS JUST FUN. PATRICIA AND FAMILY MY SINCERE SYMPATHIES AND I KNOW ANYONE WHO ASSOCIATED WITH CHARLIE WILL KEEP A CORNER OF HIM IN OUR HEARTS,, A GREAT LOSS COLLEEN MCCAFFREY HORBAY 1956 GRAD OF C.H. - Posted by: COLLEEN HORBAY (NURSE -CHILDRENS' HOSPITAL) on: Aug 24, 2014

• I am deeply saddened at the news of Charlie's passing. I feel very privileged to have worked with this wonderful man at Children's for 10 years. So many memories. Words can't express the depth of his love, compassion & commitment to life & all those he touched. He was truly one of the great men of our time. Pat, my thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family. - Posted by: Sandra (Rekrutiak) Gibeault (F riend & Children's Clinic co-worker) on: Aug 24, 2014

• I had the pleasure of working with Charlie on many issues during my tenure at the Winnipeg Childrens Hospital 1970-89. Being an Orthopedist many of our cases centered around Child Abuse. His opinion and advice was always bang-on and I had great respect for his insight and knowledge both of people and pediatrics. Charlie had a positive influence on the lives of many including my own and it was an honor to have known and worked with him. Sincere condolances to Patricia and family. Per ardua ad astra. - Posted by: Merv Letts (Friend and Colleague) on: Aug 24, 2014

• One of the most loved and respected pediatric residents at CH, "Charlie" was a beacon to our nursing Class of '66 - for his warm and caring personality, his great sense of humour, his obvious love for his patients, and his zest for life. RIP, Charlie Ferguson. - Posted by: Gerri (Hannah) Randall (Children's Hospital RN (Student & Grad)) on: Aug 23, 2014

• I first heard Charlie speak (it was about first nations' children), in 1974 - and it changed my life forever. His passionate support for those in need - and his absolute intolerance of those who were cruel - are profound memories for me. He taught me so much about being a physician - and about standing up for what is right, because it is right. He's a hero of mine -- and I expect of most people that learned from him or ever worked with him. - Posted by: Murray Kopelow (I was a student and colleague of Charlie's) on: Aug 23, 2014

• My great friend ! I will miss our lunches at Fergie's at the Forks, and your many humorous emails. You were there when my parents passed away, for support, and you were the first to congratulate on special occasions. Your sincerity and realness was not missed by your work associates, volunteer partners in sports or the many other endeavors you graced. You shared so many proud moments with me, from Neil's horse riding championships, and the photo & introduction of Ella Alexandria Ferguson to the Clan, to name a few. I am not sure who was more elated, you or your son Ross. Your love for Pat and your sons was clear. You received many honors and awards over your career and I was honored to be part of the CMA presentation you received this year. Thank you to both you and Pat, for including me. Verne J McKernan - Posted by: Verne J McKernan (Friend) on: Aug 23, 2014

• Our condolences, Patricia. The sad news came as a real shock. Our prayers are with you as you deal with this huge loss. - Posted by: Len & Marlene Loewen (Connections through our daughter's horseback riding) on: Aug 23, 2014