HALE – Charles E. Hale passed away peacefully April 23, 2004 surrounded by his family. He was predeceased in 1998 by his wife (of 52 years) Margaret. Chuck is survived by nine children, Chuck, Laurie, Cindy, Sherry, Vivian, Judy, Jack, Barbara and Earl, two brothers, Bill of Crossfield and Jim of Rimbey, four sisters, Norma of Brooks, Grace of Calgary, Gladys and Clara of Crossfield, seventeen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Jean White (and family) of West Vancouver, British Columbia. He was predeceased by his father John (Jack) Hale in 1970, his mother Elsie Hale in 1984, his brother Robert (Bob) Hale in 1994 and his sister Mary Bogi in 1971. Chuck was born in Duchess, Alberta on July 1, 1923. After leaving school he worked as a ranch hand for Macleays on the Circle Ranch and the Bar U Ranch when it was owned by Pat Burns. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in November 1941 and after training served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy between 1942 and 1945. After being discharged in 1945, Chuck married Margaret Stark on June 15, 1945. For the next 58 years Chuck resided in Brooks and area where he pursued various business interests which included: sporting goods, delivery service, farming and ranching as well as real estate. In 1967 he received the Centennial Medal for valuable service to his country. He also received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for his active involvement in the community where he coached and managed many baseball, boxing and hockey teams as well as sharing his military and aviation knowledge as a volunteer instructor to Brooks Air Cadet Squadron #239. He was instrumental in the formation of the Brooks Athletic Association and was an active member of the Brooks Royal Canadian Legion and later was made a lifetime member. The family would particularly like to thank Dr. Isaac and the staff of the Cardiac Function Clinic located at the Calgary Foothills Medical Center, Dr. Withers of Calgary, Renoir Senior’s Care facility staff and the Calgary Sarcee Hospice staff whose caring deeds far exceeded their professional roles. We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Gammon and Dr. Wong for their care and attention of Dad. We celebrate “Chuck’s” life and give thanks for such a peaceful gentle passing. This was the end that this loving, kind man deserved. Left to cherish his memory are his children and their families, his brothers and sisters and their families, his friends and comrades. A tribute to celebrate Chuck’s life will be held at the Heritage Inn in Brooks, Alberta on Friday, April 30, 2004 commencing at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations in the memory of Charles E. Hale may be made to any of the following: Cardiac Function Clinic at the Foothills Medical Center in Calgary (attention: Tracy French, 3360 Hospital Drive N.W.), Palliser Health Authority – Homecare Program in Brooks, Royal Canadian Legion – Brooks Branch #63 Youth Sports Programs and Brooks Air Cadets Squadron.
