I am deeply saddened at the loss of this kind, empathetic peacemaker of a man. We were close friends in grade school—Wallenstein—where we were the only two students in grades 4, 5, and 6, as I recall.
We stayed in touch sporadically for most of our lives, reconnecting more often in recent years when business took me to Calgary. We also had interests in the music business, he as a booking agent and me as a bar musician.
We had many long conversations by phone, and his memories of life on the ancestral family farm significantly informed my book, Felizienthal. In our last call, a few weeks ago, I learned his health was deteriorating, and I felt we were saying goodbye.
Charlie endured considerable suffering, especially early in life, but he was never bitter, always understanding and forgiving.
He was my friend and I will miss him.
