Norman Jarvis Albin

Chuck is survived by his loving family: wife Lynne; daughter Dawn (Jeff); daughter Kathleen (Spero); son Jamie (Heather); daughter-in-law Rita (Mark); grandchildren Courtnie (Brad), Laura (Dave), Grant (Brianne), Andrew, Athena and Sam; great- grandchildren Caleb, Beth, Zoey, Claire and Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews. Chuck was predeceased by his wife Joy, son Daniel, siblings Doreen Taylor, Phyllis Mintern, Barbara McMillan and Roy Albin.

Chuck was always the life of the party. He loved a good joke, he even loved bad jokes. He especially loved telling his jokes--over and over again-- as those closest to him can attest. Nothing made Chuck happier than having a fresh audience!

Chuck was a great Santa. Every Christmas he dressed up as Santa Claus and created some pretty special memories for a lot of little ones over the years, including his own. Everyone who met Chuck loved him, especially his hands. According to local lore, Chuck had the softest and most beautiful hands.

As a Father he was generous and caring. He was very involved, taking his son to hockey games, practices, and tournaments. He supported his young daughter in her short-lived baton twirling and figure skating endeavours.

After a brief stint in the RCMP, Chuck found a career in sales with various companies and retired from his own company, Albin Sales, in 1997. In the early years, he would work in the city and let his family stay at the family cottage in Muskoka all summer long while he commuted and joined them for summer holidays and weekends. One can only imagine how he felt every Sunday evening, when his daughter Dawn would cry inconsolably because he was leaving. This happened every single Sunday when he had to go home.

Chuck was a Mason and a Shriner. When he became the Master of his Masonic Lodge, his children had to refer to him as Worshipful Master. He was also President of the Moose Goosers, a very exclusive and secretive society within the family.

Chuck hit the jackpot when he met Lynne. It was a whirlwind romance. A courtship of 4 ½ years, followed by co-habitation for 11 years, and then wedded bliss for 16 years after a well-planned proposal. One morning, Chuck rolled over in bed and said “so you want to be an Albin do ya?” to which she replied “No.” So he made wedding plans anyway, and they lived happily every after.

Chuck loved his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren and especially loved his Sunday morning Facetime calls with all of them. One of his greatest regrets was not being able to meet or hug his latest great-grandchildren, Zoey, Claire and Charlotte. But in his own way, and with the help of technology, Chuck created a special relationship with them just the same.

Chuck had a life-long love affair with Muskoka, barbecued hot dogs, jujubes, runny butter tarts, ice cream and martinis. After moving to Kelowna, one of his favourite pastimes was sitting around Kathleen and Spero’s backyard pool, drinking martinis.

We will miss Chuck terribly. But we will take comfort in the memories he created and the love that he fostered.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299