CHARLES C. (CHARLIE) COUSENS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

CHARLES C. (CHARLIE) COUSENS Charles C. (Charlie) Cousens passed peacefully in his 91st year after a short illness at the Assiniboine Centre (Brandon) on July 8, 2005, surrounded by his immediate family. Charlie was predeceased by his parents Ethlebert and Laura (Strong) Clayton Cousens; two brothers, Roy L. and Harvey E. and one sister, Phyllis (Mrs. R.C.B. Mercer). He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 62 years, Elizabeth F. (Betty); two sons, J. Desmond (Betty Anne) of Halifax and G. Dean of Brandon, retired Executive Director of the CNIB Manitoba Division; grandchildren, Jennifer Vano of Winnipeg, and Matthew W. of Halifax; sister-in-law, Edwena Anderson (Lunenburg, NS) and family and brother-in-law, Wilfred Bishop, of Nanaimo, BC. Facing increasing health needs, Charlie and Betty had moved to Brandon from St. John's, Newfoundland in 2001, where son, Dean, has provided exceptional care and support for all of their needs. Since moving, Charlie has maintained his relationships with other in-laws, nieces and nephews, mostly on the East Coast, as well as many friends, especially lifelong friend, George Burley (St. John's) and his wife Marjorie and special family friends, Betty (mother of Jennifer) and partner, Blaine Bartley, of Winnipeg. In Brandon, Charlie leaves many new friends among residents of Riverheights Terrace. Charlie's working life was spent in Newfoundland, first with the Bank of Nova Scotia at St. John's, Grand Bank and Carbonear. He joined the Newfoundland Fisheries Board, which became the federal Department of Fisheries after March 31, 1949, when Newfoundland joined Confederation. He worked through a number of increasingly significant roles in the Federal Government, culminating in his role as Manager of the Newfoundland Personnel Office of Environment Canada in 1972. He retired from the Public Service of Canada on April 5, 1975 and was honoured by colleagues in both St. John's and Ottawa. He was both interested in and proud of his Newfoundland culture and heritage and has made many contributions from family collections to the Newfoundland Archives and the Newfoundland Museum. On July 1, 2005, as part of a tribute to the Year of the Veteran in Canada, some of his donations were recognized publicly in a display of memorabilia related to family relative, Sir William Coaker, at the newly constructed museum, The Rooms, in St. John's. He was also a keen student of his own family's roots, and spent countless hours tracing them and sharing information about the family ancestors from the West Country of England. Charlie was a true gentleman, and, although a very private person, was always willing to share conversation about his life and that of his family, whom he loved dearly as they loved him. Betty, Des and Dean were his life, and he was passionately proud of their individual capabilities and accomplishments. He was unselfish to a fault, and he always thought of others and attended to their needs before his own. He had a subtle wit that was enjoyed by all who knew him. The family will forever be indebted to special friend, Karen Foubert, R.N. (Brandon) for her love, support, advice and caring, especially during Charlie's recent illness. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be advertised to take place at a future date in Brandon. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Donations in Charlie's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. Expressions of sympathy may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. Arrangements are with Brockie Donovan Funeral Home, (204) 727-0694.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 12, 2005