Obituary of Charles "Charlie" HARRIS

February 27, 1929 – Elbow, Saskatchewan
April 19, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Charlie Harris of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021 at the age of 92 years. 

Charlie was born in Elbow, SK, on February 27, 1929 to parents Newton and Annie Harris. He married Gladys Knight on June 8, 1963 and together raised three children. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his children, his five grandchildren and his great-granddaughter.   He was a rock that we could always count on and turn to with anything at any time. His family adored him and every moment they were able to spend with him, road trips to Saskatchewan to see family, every special holiday spent together, Christmas was his favourite, and all of the many lessons he taught them along the way. They will cherish every one. 

Charlie travelled and worked as a heavy duty mechanic in many countries such as Libya.  He often had slide shows from his travels when family and friends came for visits. He took great pride in telling all about his adventures.

Charlie enjoyed playing horse shoes, baseball and curling and loved to walk and garden.  Watching hockey, camping, pouring over maps, playing cards and reading western literature were some of his favourite hobbies. He had a love hate relationship with the Calgary Flames, he was so passionate about, as anyone who has watched a game with him can attest to and he always had the best critics on the outcome of the game the night before. One of his favourite past times was his walks, it was a daily ritual and made him a well known pillar of Harley Road, getting to know almost everyone on the block and always ready to help. 

Charlie’s most memorable vacations were when they travelled to Hawaii and Alaska in the 1990’s.   He really enjoyed the drive to Alaska, camping along the way with friends. They travelled many places and made many joyous memories. Their greatest memories they would agree would be spending Sunday dinners, holidays and endless barbecues with their children, grandchildren. 

Charlie is survived by his two sons, Scott Harris of Calgary AB, and Ross Harris of Chestermere, AB;  his daughter Brenda Sproul of Calgary, AB; five grandchildren, Andrew Harris, Brittany Harris (Bryon Heisler), Dylan Harris and Jaime Sproul all of Calgary, AB and Kayla (Jameson) Amelotte of Langdon, AB; and one great-grandchild Quinn Amelotte of Langdon, AB. He is also survived by his sister Ethel Bathgate of Central Butte, SK.

Charlie was predeceased by wife Gladys, father Newton Irvine Harris, mother Annie Eleanor Harris and eleven brothers and sisters.

Although Charlie will be lovingly remembered by numerous family and friends, the family has respectfully requested to hold a Private Celebration of Life at a time when they can all safely be together and lay Charlie and Gladys’ ashes in their final resting place.

Mom and Dad are together again and for that we are grateful and now we have two guardian angels watching over us. We will continue to say their names, reminisce about their favourite stories and always remember how much they loved us and that is how they will forever live in our hearts. 

A Letter from Heaven

When tomorrow starts and I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today;
While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me as much as I love you;
And each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart.
For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.

-Alena Hakala Meadows

The Harris family would also like to extend a sincere thank you to the wonderful nurses on Unit 47 at the Rocky View Hospital.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Charlie’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Charlie Harris, a tree will be planted in the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS and HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.