Charles Ralph Bouskill

It is with great sadness that the family of Charles R Bouskill “Charlie” announce his death on Thursday October 3, 2024 at 95 years of age.

Charlie was predeceased by his parents Ralph & Gertrude Bouskill, his brother Wally (Becky) Bouskill and brother-in-law John Maw.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years Barbara and their four sons: David (Gail), John (Janet), Brian (Cec), Alan (Anne). Grandchildren: James (Dana), Nicole (Francois), Jennifer, Lisa (Colin), Chloe, Matthew & Carly. Great Grandchildren: Ellee, Jack, Emery, Josie, Cadence, Addelyn, Max & Ivy. Sister Margaret Maw, niece Beth and nephew Stephen (Valerie).

Charlie was born in Calgary on June 10, 1929 and shortly thereafter his family moved to Winnipeg. He attended Grosvenor, Robert H Smith, and Kelvin High schools. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering in 1952 and from the University of Western Ontario with an MBA in 1956.

He was a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba (APEM) since 1956, a Junior/Associate Member of the Engineering Institute of Canada since 1952 and a full member since 1962, a Senior member of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers since 1965, a member of the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers since 1970, and a Warden of The Ritual of The Calling of an Engineer from 1972 (Chief Warden 1992/93 and Honorary Warden since 1993).

Charlie served as a member on the Council of APEM from 1973 to 1977, was President in 1976 and was the first member of APEM to receive the Outstanding Service Award in 1971.

He also served on dozens of committees over 8 decades and was granted an honorary Life Membership in the Association of Professional Engineers (Manitoba) in 1997 and was named a Fellow of Engineers Canada in 2009.

He had been actively involved in the United Church and the Anglican Church.

Charlie served in various management roles at Eaton’s from 1953-1980 and ICG/Centra Gas from 1980-1992.

He had been active in the Masonic Order since 1951, was Master and Past Master of the Assiniboine Lodge and a Commander in Chief of Scottish Rite.

Charlie also served as a Cub Pack Leader for 10 years and was a Councillor for the Village of Dunnottar.

Notwithstanding all of his professional and volunteer activities, Charlie loved spending time at “the cottage” in the summer with his boys for over 50 years. In the early years, each summer there was a family road trip somewhere across the country to visit relatives and to see the sights. In later years there were trips to more distant locations. Dad always took great interest in what the boys, their wives, the grandkids and the great grandkids were up to.

He had a passion as an active researcher of Family Genealogy & Etymology and he and Mom travelled often to Salt Lake City and Great Britain to research the family tree.

Cremation has taken place and a family graveside service at Old Kildonan Cemetery will be held at a later date.

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the care he was given by the staff at the Victoria General Hospital. Thank you to all who cared for Dad and the compassion you all showed.

In lieu of flowers, donations to your favourite charity would be gratefully accepted.