Charles your name comes up often and we all miss you, with loving memories. RIP my friend.

Charles was  just such a lovely person! Talented, intelligent, warm and a true professional who was a pleasure to know and work with.

 I am so sorry that we lost him- and Margaret, my heart goes out to you.

We still miss you like crazy Charlie. Still hard to believe you are gone. Little things trigger sweet memories—when I make pesto and add cream, I think you were the first cook we knew who did that. That’s how I make it all the time now. When I make filter coffee—strong memory of you making us coffee at your place on King’s Avenue  on a sunny day full of possibilities. Taking care that you made the coffee just right, and you always did.  Thank you. We love you forever.

Pat, Fred, Drew and Rebecca

Still can’t believe you’re gone, Charles. We miss you so much. 

Pat and Fred

The world is a lesser place without Charles.

Many thoughts of your smiling face Charles, as always. You are deeply missed.

Connie.

A too short lifetime chock-a-block full of inspired thoughts and long (sometimes absurd) conversations. Truly one of a kind. Sail on my friend, you have broken your  mortal bonds and are now a small part of something timeless and without limitation. Maybe we'll cross paths, in one form or other, down the road.

Yes, Charles will forever be our memories as
“ THE CREAM OF THE CROP” RIP my friend…

Dear Charles, you left way too early but thankfully you left many, many good memories behind.  Jeff and Grace Arnold

Dear Charles, so many  wonderful, insightful  and hilarious  times shared.  A much appreciated friend  and sadly missed.  

An honest man here lies at rest,
As e’er God with his image blest;
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his — with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so informed
If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

“Epitaph On My Own Friend” by Robert Frost


Margaret, though we shared just a few personal visits over the years, our continued Christmas letters were such a joy to send and receive, always a personal note from both you and Charles.  My friendship with you has always been so appreciated. On hearing that Charles has left this life saddened me deeply. My heart aches for your loss,  and I can only send you my love. Good friends can offer support in many ways, and finding any comfort or solace will help you heal in this new journey. I think of you often and know that whatever choices you make during this terribly difficult time will take you where you want and need to be.

With much Love, Dawn


It was such a privilege to have worked with Charles and to have known him and Margaret. Two people who made the world a brighter and better place. Thanks to you both. 

It is a very sad,sad day Charles, and far too soon for someone as kind and talented as yourself to leave this life that we shared off and on for 40 years. Believe me when I say that the pleasure was all mine, You will be missed by us all and our memories will be of your smiling face- Many happy returns buddy.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of our loss. Knowing Charles from the mid 70s and having worked with and for him many times, I actually had fondness, even when, as not infrequently happened, we disagreed, usually in our appraisals of books or films. I greatly appreciated his whimsy, generosity, and kindness.  I had not seen him since my retirement 8 years ago and remembered him as healthy and vibrant, so the suddenness came as a terrible surprise. 

I met Charles during the "lean" years of film production in British Columbia, when productions were fewer and farther between.

Between-pictures one year, Charles transformed the recreation room in our North Vancouver home into a cedar-lined, well crafted oasis. During that period of time, me and my wife, Janet (of Finnish decent), got to know him as a kind, considerate, and highly talented carpenter and friend.

Sincere condolences to Margaret and family

George and Janet Chapman

I met Margaret when we were 17 and a few years later, in Thunder Bay, she introduced me to Charles. It was a time of light and freedom, when time, love, and adventure were unfettered. I have a beautifully clear snapshot that I carry in my thoughts of Charles and I talking on the street...sun glistening in his blond, breeze-swept hair, eyes dancing with excitement for an untapped life stretching before him. I am thankful to have known him. I am heartbroken that he has left us. I am graced with the sure knowledge that he has been a tender and wonderful partner to my beautiful friend Mz M. 

Into the light of another day.

Connie Youngson-Chegahno
July 26th, 2019

I met Charles inadvertently, at a social gathering held by a mutual friend on Bowen Island.  We sat beside each other that evening, and didn't just chat, but actually talked about issues of importance to all of us at the table.

His wry, understated wit, combined with a genuine intellectual curiosity, set him apart. I was so pleased to have met him, thinking how infrequently it happens at our age that we meet someone who could become a good friend.

So it was such a shock to find  out (from the mutual friend), that he had suddenly died the day following. He had been vibrant and engaged the night before. I could not help wondering if he had been overwrought, but that certainly did not seem the case.

It may be trite to reflect on the transience of our short uncertain lives, but it was something he alluded to that evening last weekend. He had encouraged me to read  Uninhabitable Planet (Wallace-Wells), which I am now doing, and Sapiens (Harari), which I  have on hold. Both are  quite dark views of humanity and its prospects. He had commented that to him, even if the future might be grim, the present had always been full of light- his work, small pleasures, his friends, his very cerebral and delightful wife Margaret.

I had asked whether they had children and he said no; I did not probe any farther, but he then said perhaps it was a blessing- to be responsible for one's selves, but not those following.

It has been said that responsibility extends to everything that one encounters, yet I think there is another branch to that thought. We never know what impact we may have on those around us, but knowing him, even for such a short time, has caused me to really think about some of the things we talked about- how to live a life that is rewarding, contributes to 'society' (in his case through film), yet is not discordant with core personal values. 

It is a juggling act, for sure, but he definitely worked hard, and successfully,  to keep those balls in the air.

We knew Charles for 45 years. Throughout his life he honoured the lessons from his youth. "Be prepared and do the hard work. Build worthwhile things well. Make them beautiful." Charles had an exquisite intellect, great imagination and determined resourcefullness. His views on life were informed, often humourous and indelibly accurate. Margaret and Charles spent their life journey together in an inspired exploration. They were nourished from the same well. Like so many others we are deeply grateful for the many gifts they shared. Charles, your hard work is done, the tools are laid to rest, the things you built and left us are here, intact, secure and timeless. Thank you. 



Jeff and Grace Arnold

OBITUARY

Charles Leitrants

17 April, 1951 – 14 July, 2019

Hollyburn Funeral Home

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