Charles Alexander McLeod

19 August 1928 – 3 April 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father and grandfather. It is with equal joy that we celebrate his life and steadfast devotion to family and community. The son of a United Church minister and a teacher of literature, Charlie was a child of the manse, which meant he saw much of western Canada as a child through to young adulthood. Born in Toronto, the family soon relocated to Saskatoon, Edmonton, with a longer stay in Victoria before moving to Winnipeg where Charlie attended United College. Dad completed his Arts degree in economics and political science at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. These areas of study became a passion, and he followed politics and economics with a keen interest and sharp mind through the rest of his life.

After graduation, Charlie and his friend Brian decided – against familial admonitions - to hitchhike from B.C. to points eastward – landing in Winnipeg at the time of the 1950 flood. It was his decision to return to Winnipeg that led Charlie to begin to set down firm roots in this community, for it was here that he met and married his beloved wife and life companion of 70 years, Kathleen Ann Baird.

He joined the Royal Bank briefly residing in Winnipeg and Brandon and then began a long career at Beaver Lumber managing stores in Saskatchewan and Hagersville, Ontario, serving as assistant secretary and ultimately launching a subsidiary, Beaver Lumber Acceptance Corporation in Winnipeg, which he managed until the parent company was sold to Molson. This sale required the family to relocate to Toronto where he led aspects of the merger of these two companies. But it was the opportunity to join North American Lumber as director and secretary treasurer that brought Charlie and Kathie home to Winnipeg permanently.

Beyond his commitments to family and work, Charlie was active in the community through his long and varied service to Knox United Church, as board chair and trustee, involvement with Knox Day Nursery, as a member of the board of the Duval Foundation, and as treasurer of the United Church of Canada Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Conference. He was also active with the Fred Douglas Society of Senior Citizens serving as chairman of Fred Douglas Lodge. Following his retirement, he spent many years as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

As the grandson of a Great Lakes ship captain, Dad’s love of the water started at a young age sailing in the waters of Oak Bay around Victoria and working as a deck hand on the Distributor steamship travelling to Tuktoyaktuk where he shared oranges with Inuit children. While he loved to hear of his children’s travels, Charlie’s favourite place on earth was the family cottage on Mackies Island in Lake of the Woods. For over 55 years Charlie and his family have spent summers on the island, with their lake neighbours becoming dear lifelong friends. A day at the lake was only complete with a game of tennis, a float in the lake, a contemplative gaze out the window from his big chair, and a glass of good scotch on the deck. Mackies continues to be a constant in the lives of Charlie’s children and grandchildren. Thank you for this gift, Dad.

Charlie is survived by his wife Kathleen; their children Angela (Wayne Rosin), Gordon, and Martha (Ian Stewart); and grandchildren David Rosin (Zhanni Weber), Aynsley Rosin (Mike McDonald) and Samuel McLeod along with cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents The Very Reverend Hugh Alexander McLeod and Florence Doreene McLeod (nee Taggart), his brothers Donald (Mary ) and Hugh (Barbara) McLeod, and beloved in-laws Gavin Gibson Baird and Sara Adeline Baird (nee Gaskin), Angela (John Graham), and Gavin David Baird.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a future date. Charlie’s ashes will be scattered at a location in Lake of the Woods.

His was a life well lived, and we miss him dearly. Hold Fast Dad.