Obituary of LABUTE – Charles James

July 15, 1921 – April 26, 2010 Stoically facing his imminent death from vascular disease, Charles maintained his dignity with grace and courage. He passed away peacefully early Monday morning April 26, 2010 at the Colonel Belcher Care Centre in his 89th year. Charles (Happy) was born July 15 in Sunnynook, Alberta south of Hanna. It was here and later in Rimby, AB and Nanton, AB., that he developed his passion for horses. His horsemanship led him on his California adventure for a short time in the summer of 1939. With the out-Break of the Second World War, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a navigator. During the war while in Calgary, he met Lily Dawson, who ran a restaurant on Seventeenth Ave. SW. They subsequently married and together raised four children. During the difficult economic times following the war, they moved to Vancouver, Calgary, Coleman and Fort Steele before settling in Calgary in 1954. Here they spent the remainder of their 57 years of married life. Hap was independent and creative trying his hand at a number of occupations from logging, mining, tailoring, painting and furniture making before he settled on trucking in Calgary for the next thirty years. His passion for horses continued despite living in the city and he always kept a saddle horse boarded on acreages in the area. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Lily in 2001 and is lovingly remembered by his best friend Rita Greer; his sons Gary (Barbara) of Calgary, Ronald (Vera) of Castlegar B.C., Clinton (Judy) of Calgary; his daughter Gayle Atkinson (Tom Morley) of Stouffville, ON.; twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Friday, April 30, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 – 18th Avenue S.W.) on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Happy Labute, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.