Joanne and Family

We were very saddened to hear of Charlie's passing. Our sincere condolences to you.

Michael and Elizabeth Columbos

Joanne and family,

It was with great sadness that we heard of Charlie's passing. He was such an inspirational leader in business and the community at large. He could always be counted on for wise counsel, and a thoughtful perspective. He will always be remembered as a visionary, and someone who rolled up his sleeves and got things done. Our city, province and country are all beneficiaries of Charlie's strong community ethic and sense of personal responsibility. We always looked forward to our far too infrequent dinners over Indian food in East Calgary, where we enjoyed great company, great food, lots of laughs and an inspired book recommendation from Charlie. We can't fully appreciate the sense of loss you must feel at this time. We just feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend the time that we did with Charlie, to call him, and you, friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Al Duerr and Kit Chan

Joanne, Kate & Lindsay;

I've been thinking of you and the family and Charlie ever since Saifa shared the news and your note to her. You and yours and the world lost a fine man and great human being. Donna and I wish you comfort in the healing.

Charlie's role as co-chair of the fundraising for the new Alberta Children's Hospital is how we met. I could feel his passion for this responsibility immediately. For many months, Charlie and his team had to promote the hospital and raise donations without the benefit of drawings or images for the first year. Not an easy thing to do. Our team had to brief the Foundation on a regular basis to assist them in their communication. Over time, as ideas were put the paper and construction started you could feel the confidence and support grow. Our relationship continued for over four years. It became, and still is, a powerful experience fueled by passion and commitment. Our team and this community were so fortunate to have Charlie and his team be a key part of the design, development and funding of the new Alberta Children's Hospital. It was a great ride.

With love & affection,

Art Froese

I would like to send my condolences to Joanne & family. Please know I have been thinking of you. It was an honour to have known Charlie.

From Rogers Lehew

We are so sorry for your family. The loss of Charlie is a loss for all that knew him as well. He was a wonderful man, a visionary leader, and someone who cared so much for his community. We are all better off for having had him touch our lives.

I was deeply saddened when I learned of Charlie’s passing and wish to offer my deepest condolences to the Fisher family. The Calgary community has lost a giant. When Charlie got involved in anything whether It was the Children’s hospital, the companies he led or other causes like the NMC, you knew it would be done right and be successful. He always had time for people of all walks of life and social status and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him and those he touched by his efforts.

Douglas Kay

Joanne and Family:

Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Charlie was always such a welcoming and supportive presence to members of the University of Calgary Senate and Chancellors Club. The City and the University has lost a great and wonderful supporter. He will be greatly missed.

Rick and Ilene Gilborn

I was saddened to hear of Charlie's passing today. I enjoyed our conversations about the industry. He was a genuine person who you knew had great respect for those around him and who was respected in return. He will be missed.

Please accept my sincerest condolences,

Kim Walker

Joanne,

This is so sad please accept my condolences.

Gord Stewart

My heart felt condolences to the family.

Charlie was my boss at Bow Valley Industries. I learned so much from Charlie and I’m grateful for the experience.

Dear Joanne, my heart goes out to you and your daughters. Charlie was one of the good guys and is gone much too soon. I have cherished his and your friendship over the years. Charlie was a leader in the best sense. He was a presence as he entered a room, without pretence. He will be sadly missed by all, none more than you. Be well and be safe. I send cyber hugs. Bev MacLeod

Joanne and Family,

Giulia and I were very saddened to hear of your loss. Charlie was truly one of the great people that I have met in my life. He was such a warm and giving person, always ready to help young people starting-out in the working world (and the sailing world, I still remember your fabulous Fireball). He was a great neighbour and mentor. He will be missed.

Dear Joanne and family,

We are truly sorry for your loss.

Charlie was refreshingly humble, a true leader and a community icon.

May all your fond memories comfort you in the days and weeks ahead.

Hugs,

Debbie and Brian Stahl

To Joanne, Kate and Lindsay

It was such a privilege to know Charlie! His obituary is written with such overwhelming love and sense of loss - and it makes such perfect sense because he was such a very special person.

My own greatest pleasure was being involved with his taking on the role of chair of UNICEF's Patron's Council for the annual gala. He was humble and gracious and generous and thoughtful - and it was a huge pleasure to work alongside him.

The community of Calgary benefited so much from his many commitments, as I'm sure this country did too; certainly the oil patch owed him a huge debt of gratitude for level-headed, principled and financially successful leadership over many years.

My thoughts, bets wishes and prayers are with all three of you during this tough time.

Madeleine

Charlie was the kind of man that good companies and good countries are built around, He represented the finest in both business, community and family values.

Charlie and I were compatriot's in building our respective companies, and fellow warriors in fighting the infamous National energy Program. Our companies did some major deals including the sale of EnCana's North Sea assets where my complete trust in his reputation for always keeping his word overcame a theoretically higher bid.

Engaging with this big bear of a man with that wonderfully appropriate handlebar mustache was always an uplifting experience.

Even as he suffered with terminal illness, Charlie shared his troublesome journey through the Canadian health care system in a video entitled "What Happens to Those Who can't Advocate for Themselves". (still available of You Tube)

Charlie truly was, as the saying goes, "one of the good guys".

My wife Pat Trottier and I express our deepest sympathy to his life partner Joanne

Gwyn Morgan

Charlie was indeed the "gentle giant" who helped so many people in some many places. I got to know him when Joanne was Chancellor of the University of Calgary, but my best memories are his wise and active participation in the Scholars Academy, a project that this remarkable couple launched and have shepherded for several years now. Conversation always stopped when Charlie said something because we know he would raise something important that we were missing, or make a suggestion that would only occur to someone with his depth and wisdom.

The world is definitely a smaller place without him in it, but a much better place for the life he lived. Our hearts go out to Joanne and Charlie's family and we wish them love and peace.

Tom and Keri Keenan

My sincerest condolences for your loss. Charlie was a great leader who inspired people to reach their full potential. I am a better person for having known him and am saddened that the world has lost such a wonderful person.

My condolences to Charlie's family and to all who knew and loved him. I am thankful he was in my life. We have lost a friend and a leader; a young man who had given much, but had ever so much more to say and do. Charlie was a rare man. His heart and spirit were as big as his vision, which was extraordinary.

Dear Joanne and family. We are saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie. Our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace. His good work and service to the community will forever be remembered. I always enjoyed our discussions and lively conversations at University of Calgary functions. We keep you in our thoughts.

Georgette and Tony Habib

My condolences for your loss of Charley. I worked with him in the 70's at HBOG, with the group of Engineers. Blessings to all the family Joyce Duncan

The world is a sadder place with Charlie's passing. I am honoured to have known him and worked with him at various times.

He was a man of generosity, compassion and integrity.

My thoughts and prayers are with JoAnne and the family at this time.

Irene E. Pfeiffer, C.M.

Dear Joanne and family – I was so very sorry to read of Charlie’s death in the Globe today. Working with him (and you) on the UNICEF function was an honour. The world has just lost one of its best.

Kerrie Hale

Dear Joanne, Kate and Lindsay and family. I am truly shocked to hear about Charlie's death. You’ll may not know that Charlie and I are of the same age he was only 6 months older. Charlie and I joined HBOG at the same time and became supervisor and went to Supervisory workshop together. We used to walk home every day from work and lived across the street from each other. I am giving you all this because at times you don’t get a chance to share.

We loved our projects and achievements of our kids. In short, I can not tell you how bad I feel, all the stuff written about him is so true, however, while living every time we met and I shared with him; he use to say “I don’t feel any different” or something like that.

As now I live in Houston, I was planning to go to Calgary to go see him and see how he is doing… No,he was too young to move on ..

Sanjiv & Pratima Jain

Dear Fischer family, the world has lost a fine man. He was simply lovely. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Kate - my sincere condolences to you and your family. I know this is incredibly difficult, but I hope in time you can take comfort in knowing he has left an amazing legacy.

Corine Bushfield

Joanne and family,

I was stunned to read the news of Charlie; he was a fine person and very kind to me. You all are in my prayers.

My sincere condolences.

Elizabeth Burke-Gaffney

Dear Joanne, Kate and Lindsay and family. We were so very saddened to hear about Charlie’s passing. I have many fond memories when I worked for him back in the “Bow Valley” days. He was always kind and generous to me and always had a story to tell me of what his little girls would do over the weekend. He was so proud of them right from the beginning. Sending our sincerest condolences to all of you. Tony and Sara Cimino.

Dear Joanne and family

Annie and I were very saddened to learn this morning of Charlie's passing. Please accept our condolences for you and your family. You have both made wonderful contributions to our community and we personally remember your kind support and advice over the years.

Steve Randall and Anne Katzenberg

We would like to offer our sincere condolences.

We both knew Charlie not personally, but seeing him during our skiing years at Lake Louise on the hill or in the Lodge. Quite the Man for sure! And a super addition to all our Worlds. Sincerely. Mike Coe & Lorraine Sharplin.