To Ben and Maggie, and all of Chuck’s Family

My thoughts are with all of you at this very sad time. I just found out today regarding Chucks passing. I met Chuck in 1990 when we both started to work for Glaxo in the new Oncology division. We worked together for 15 years in this division before your Dad moved on to bigger and better things. We were good friends and stayed in touch after he left Glaxo and after I moved on as well. You may remember a video of the 2 of us heading out on Georgian Bay for a weekend of fun and fishing! And Brooke, I remember meeting you at your awesome Snowbird airshow in Hamilton! I still have that photo on the wall that you sent me! Your Dad loved you immensely Ben and Maggie and had many a good story to tell! His smile, and his never ending humor touched everyone he met. Just a couple of years back , I was in Banff and your Dad I met up to reminisce, relax and have some fun.

Please accept my condolensces

Robin Hall

Dear Ben & Maggie,

Saturday January 11 was a sad day for me and Michael. By coincidence receiving a phone call from an old colleague of mine who also join recently Genzyme I happened to mention Chuck. I am so devastated and still in shock to hear of his passing. Chuck and I met in 1998 when we both worked at Biogen Canada. We became very good friends. We attended a lot of meetings together and remember all the Xmas parties from Boston to Ottawa to Oakville. I am not sure if you will remember the time that Michael and I with our dog Kalinka came and visited you at your cottage. We had a blast. Even when Chuck left Biogen Idec we kept contact, my last conversation was in November. Always talked about you Ben & Maggie you are is pride. He was a proud Papa, I am sure that you will miss him, however think how much he touched people around you. This is the way that you will find courage to go through this. Myself, I will keep the fond memories and cherish them. Your Dad will always have a place in my heart.

My sincere condolences to you both and all your family.

Love you

Mariette

It is a shock to the system when you go searching for some old friends and then to find one of them has passed. I was friend of Chuck’s (along with Paul Franko, who I was also searching for) while we were at the University of Guelph together and I can only remember what a positive person Chuck was and always carried the most positive of demeanors. We had such a fun time during those crazy HK hockey games where I think I drove him and Paul Franko crazy with my intensity. :-) What a great guy Chuck was and I can only imagine how very much missed he will be by the family, friends and colleagues that were close to him. I only wish I had searched him out sooner.

Mr Franko, I saw your post on Chuck….. very very nice and well said. You were lucky to have him as such a great friend. It’s with a very heavy heart that I write this.

My most sincere and late condolences,

Dan Blocka, Etobicoke, ON

Chuck and I had a very kindred friendship. Anyone who knows Chuck knew he had a wonderful spirit and he unconditionally gave this to anyone that knew him. I worked with Chuck for 6 1/2 years as the Senior Admin Assistant for Genzyme and relocated to Nova Scotia 1 year ago.

Chuck and I continued to keep in touch as good friends and we shared many laughs over the phone together. He would often say “That’s Fantastic” and he was a “fantastic man”.

He will be incredibly missed, and he was one of those people that made a difference in this world.

My heart goes out to his entire family. He will always be in my heart and memory, with kindest regards,

Sharon Goodwin

Dear Ben, Maggie & Family,

So very sorry to learn of your Dad’s early passing. Most of my memories of him are from years ago, but they almost all involve him happy, laughing, and with a big smile. One of those rare, genuinely kind people that seemed to be able to find the good in just about anything. He’ll be missed.

Our thoughts are with you all.

Dan & Family

Dear Maggie and Ben

It is with heavy hearts that we send you our condolences. We have known your father for many years, first on a professional basis and later as a friend as well. He was a true gentleman and you should be very proud to have had a dad with “his big heart, charm and love for you”.

You will remember the good time we had in Budapest when we acted as your tour guide.

We will miss Chuck. He was a true friend.

Our thoughts are with you.

Karen & Andy Gomori

It is with shock and sadness that I learned about Chuck’s passing. I went to university with Chuck and lost touch soon afterwards. However, I will always remember him fondly. We shared some great times and a whole lot of laughs. Ben and Maggie, you must take comfort in knowing that your dad is fondly remembered by so many people.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Maryke

Dear Ben and Maggie,

I was so sad to hear of your dad’s passing. What a wonderful human being and father he was.

He was a great colleague (Biogen) and friend. He was passionate and a happy go kind of guy. He was so dedicated to his children and would always talk about you.

The world has lost a wonderful human being.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.

Linda Karimi-Tabesh

To all of Chuck’s family and friends — my deepest sympathy. It is so difficult to lose a father and a brother, even more so when it’s someone as wonderful as Chuck. I worked with Chuck at Biogen and we spent a lot of time together at sales meetings and conferences, so of course I heard all about Ben and Maggie! I was lucky to meet you kids a few times, although it was so long ago I’m sure you don’t remember. I was trying to think of my favourite Chuck story to share with you, and it is probably the time we were taking some MS nurses out to dinner at a conference. The conference just happened to be in Orlando, and I was preparing to just go out and have a nice dinner with these nurses (who we knew very well). Well, Chuck decided to make the night extra special by buying hilarious princess Minnie Mouse ears (complete with sequins and veils!) for each and every nurse there! That dinner turned from regular to extraordinary and it was so much fun to try to have a normal conversation with someone while they were wearing pink sparkly ears. (Oh yes, Chuck wore the ears too…I think he might have been the only man in the room so that was pretty funny). I think that is what was so special about Chuck. He took every normal experience and he made it extraordinary. I am so terribly sad that he is gone, because there will be a big hole in the hearts of every person who knew him. He will be missed dearly for years to come, but remembered fondly by anyone whose life he touched. Sending love to the whole family. Aldona

Ben, Maggie & Family,

I’m sorry to hear of your loss. May many treasured memories keep him alive in your hearts & bring comfort to you in the days to come. Teresa

To Ben, Maggie and Family:

It is with disbelief and a heavy heart that we learned of Chuck’s passing. It was long ago and a different time when we first moved in next door to Chuck and Kandice Lawrence of St. Albert, AB. We were all recently married, young and enjoying our starter homes on the not so quiet street of Dayton Crescent. It was during this time when a puppy arrived at the Lawrence residence which brought additional fun and drama to a neighbourhood filled with newly weds & young families. On occasion, if memory serves correctly, we would watch “Max” or let him out in the yard. Sometimes Max would leave his “momentos” in our yard. This became a bit of a game between us and the Lawrences which culminated in a wrapped gift of Max’s momentos placed lovingly on the Lawrence back door. We have fond memories of our time together in St. Albert, enjoying informal dinners, bbq’s or impromptu banter & laughs. There was always lots of laughter. We all went our separate ways too quickly. Chuck was a great neighbour and friend. We are sorry for your loss and hope you find comfort in the many good memories you have, much like we do, with the best former neighbours we could ask for. Our sincerest heartfelt condolences.

Such a sad loss. Colin & I offer our heartfelt prayers to Chuck’s brother children and family to find strength at this very sad time.

My condolences to the Lawrence family, especially to Benjamin and Maggie… You were the pride in his life.

Today is the day you passed away

But forever and ever in our hearts you’ll stay

Ben and family. Please know that we are thinking of you and our prayers are with you. May all the memories of your dad comfort you thru this difficult time. Peter, Kerri & Marc

It was a sad day here at the Metabolic Genetics Clinic in Edmonton when we heard the news. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I got to know Chuck over the last five years and always looked forward to his visits to see the Doctors here. He was a wonderful and pleasant man. Always making sure things were good and we were all ok. He will be greatly missed. Sad that I didn’t get to have that last lunch together and hear his laught one more time.

Deepest sympathies

Tina Arychuk

“I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see. I sought my God, but my God eluded me. I sought my brother and I found all three.” -Author Unknown

Our very deepest condolences to the Lawrence family.

Dale & Pattie Hackett

Rothesay, NB

Dear Ben and Maggie,

My thoughts and prayers are with you both at this very sad time. I met your Dad in 1990 when we both worked at Glaxo. His smile, the twinkle in his eye and his infectious smile touched everyone he met. He was kind, considerate and ever the optimist. You two were the joy of his life and when we connected over the years he was so proud telling me all about your accomplishements. I am so saddened by your loss. Take care. Sheilagh Commeford

Chuck was an amazing person who has left us with so many great memories. His laughter was contagious, his smile genuine and his friendship unwavering. Maggie and Ben, you were his life, his love and his pride and joy. Nothing made him happier than the two of you. We will miss Chuck greatly. Our thoughts and love are with you.

Emma, Jeffrey and Pam

Ben, Maggie, Rod, Brooke, Todd and Family

I am so deeply saddened to hear of Chuck’s passing. We were best friends in University and worked together for the same Pharmaceutical companies for the first 10 years. He was the most amazing friend you could ever have. Always in jovial mood and one of the most upbeat person you would ever meet. We played hockey together in University, skied in Alberta and BC, waterskied at your cottage as well as boated around Lake Muskoka. He was also in my wedding party and made that day much less stressful with his humour. Ben and Maggie, your Dad was so proud of you and talked about on all our phone conversations. I think of him almost everyday as he made my life so much better. I know you will deeply miss him but just think about how many people he touched with his kindness and optimism. I look forward to remembering him at the service tomorrow.

Paul, Donna and the Franko Family

Dear Ben,

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers in this very difficult time.

With deepest sympathy,

Pat

My heartfelt condolences to Chuck’s family. I recently had the opportunity to reconnect with Chuck after many years having passed since working together at GlaxoSmithKline. We had an all too brief chat one evening a couple weeks back at a busy dinner function and I recall thinking that this is quite possibly one of the warmest and most engaging persons I’ve ever met. I feel deeply for your loss, my prayers are with you. – Richard

I was honoured to meet Chuck at Genzyme. During our 5 years of knowing each other, I quickly learned how great of a person he was. It was a pleasure being his colleague and friend.

Chuck – you will be dearly missed.

To his family – I wish you all the best during this difficult time as Chuck is truly a great person.

This is such sad news.

Chuck & I worked together for years at Biogen and he was always so jovial and happy and genuinely interested in people. His passing is reminds us all life is very precious and far too short.

My deepest condolences to the Lawrence family.

JB

Dearest Family of Chuck, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I am a colleague of Chuck’s. The last time I saw Chuck was at our work meeting in November where he proudly glowed as he showed pictures and told stories about his beloved children, Benjamin and Maggie. You made him very happy, proud and were always on his mind no matter where he was in the world.

My sincerest condolences, Chantal

Chuck’s friendship, laugh, great stories and genuine kindness will be fondly remembered. My condolences to family and friends.

The world has lost a fine man. Such a sad loss. I offer my heartfelt prayers to Chuck’s children and family to find strength at this time. I had the good fortune of knowing him through my work and I will miss him dearly.

Ben & Maggie, we were so sorry to hear about your dad. You both are what he was always proudest of and we are sure you know how very much he loved you. We will miss him so very much. Keep his memory always in your hearts, as will we. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of his family and friends. Love from Jim, Teresa, Stephanie and Breanne (“the McLawrences”).

I’ve known Chuck for a long time both professionally and outside of work, mainly on our wonderful annual golfing trips. Wonderful man with a joy for life that we can all learn from. I will miss him greatly and offer my sympathies to his family.

Love you Chuck. You were a very special person. You had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. I loved your sense of humour, kindness and love of life. God bless you and your family. Until we meet again – janice

My thoughts and prayers are with you during such a difficult time. Chuck was a good friend and colleague. I am heartbroken for you all. Working with Chuck was a pleasure; he made me laugh and was always so positive. I will miss him dearly. Let it bring you some comfort that he will never be forgotten, as we all learned so much from Chuck his influence can be found in all of us. He may have passed from our sight, but he will always be near. Take care, Hanya.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during such a difficult time. Chuck was a good friend and colleague. I am heartbroken for you all. Working with Chuck was a pleasure; he made me laugh and was always so positive. I will miss him dearly. Let it bring you some comfort that he will never be forgotten, as we all learned so much from Chuck his influence can be found in all of us. He may have passed from our sight, but he will always be near. Take care, Hanya.

I am writing on behalf of the Metabolic team here at Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg. We were so saddened and shocked to hear of his loss. He was so committed to the LSD community and he always went out of his way to ensure the patients’ needs were met. He was so supportive of our metabolic programme. He will be sorely missed. May you be spared further sorrow.

Sincerely,

Cheryl R. Greenberg, Aziz Mhanni, Jessica Hartley, Catherine Desrosiers, Quinn Porter

Metabolic Team in Winnipeg

Dear Todd and family, my deepest sympathies.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dana Trude

Kitchener, Ontario

Chuck was a great man, he always had a smile on his facee and made us laught. I am so glad i got to meet you again at the wedding where you did an outstanding job. To the ffamily I pray for peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you all

Karen-Ann Rozycki

Barrie,Ont

My thoughts and condolences to Chucks Family and friends.

I only knew Chuck for a few years, but I really enjoyed our meetings and discussions.

Chuck really cared about the health and well being of the patients.

Chuck was a great help to my family. He will be sorely missed.

Thank You Chuck.

I was shocked to hear of Chucks passing. My heart goes out to his children as I have heard so many wonderful stories about them. You were his world. He was so proud of you. I met Chuck a few years ago. He was my Genzyme rep. I have Pompes disease. We had many a chat at the pompe meetings and had made plans for my husband John to take him out fly fishing this coming spring and summer. He was always so easy to talk to and had tons of stories. I will truly miss him at our meetings. His Laugh and the way he could make you feel like you had known him your whole life.

To Chuck’s children & family

I met your Dad when he first came to Calgary as a representative for Genzyme. He came to my office at the Alberta Children’s Hospital to ask what he could do to support our clinic for LSD patients. We were discussing the program when he noticed that I was beginning to sweat & he asked whether I was OK. I explained that I had diabetes & was having a low blood sugar (insulin reaction). He told me that he understood, that he had insulin dependent diabetes himself and asked if he could get me something with sugar to assist me. He did, I got better, and our relationship (which started as physician & drug company representative & grew to friends) went on from there. He always asked me how I was doing whenever we met, and tried to support me whatever way he could.

I am so sorry to hear that he is gone and will miss our relationship as well as the plans we had. I wish the best for both of you, Ben & Maggie. Your Dad was so proud of you. He has shown me pictures of both of you in your activities, and was always so pleased to do so. I’ve met both of you, (at the Japanese restaurant in Cochrane) & your dad often referred to that occasion when we met.

I hope the best for both of you as you go forward, as well as for the rest of your family. I think that you both could not do any better then being like your father. He was a very kind and good man!

Sincerely,

Robin Casey & Robin Smith

Thinking of all of you with deepest sympathy at this sad time.

We are so sorry to hear about the loss of a great man at such a young age. Our love and thoughts are with you all.

Brian and Kelly Keegan

We are shocked and so very sad to hear about Chuck’s passing. Our heart goes out to Ben and Maggie as we know how much they adored their wonderful, fun-loving dad. And it was obvious how much he loved them. Chuck was a tremendous friend, one of the kindest, most generous people we have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a big presence because of his big heart and the joy he exuded. Ben and Maggie, we are thinking of you and hoping you find comfort in knowing you were the most important source of your dad’s exuberant joy. Love to you both. The Gillespies – Dahlia, Ian, Jonas, Graeme and Ellie

Karen, Lochlan and I are deeply saddened to learn of Chuck’s passing and wish comfort for you all.

Chuck always made us laugh and was quite inspirational when it came to being the benchmark for being a happy guy!