Charles (Charl) A. Brown

November 20, 1936 to February 13, 2020

Obituary

Passed peacefully away after a short illness. Celebrating a life well-lived are wife Barbara (nee Button); sons: Travor (Andrea), and Robin (Michelle); grandchildren: Josh, Davin, Alex, Maddi, Keely, and Cameron; sister Pearl (Bill Allen); brother-in-law Eric (Judy) Button; sister-in-law Rita (Reg, deceased) Button, as well as a large circle of relatives and friends. Charl was predeceased by his parents, John and Dora, and his brother, Andrew.

 

Born and raised in Joe Batt’s Arm, Fogo Island, Charl grew up in “the bottom”. He regularly shared stories of the mischievous adventures of his youth. In his teens, he left home to initially teach and a few years later ended up working at the “old” general hospital. It seems that by this time his mother had determined, given his “advancing” age, that he was destined to be a lifelong bachelor. But it was there he would meet nursing student, Barbara Button. At the “mature” age of almost 30, he and Barbara wed.

 

The young couple had a sense of adventure early on. They first worked with Wabush Mines (where son Travor was born). As Charl decided to pursue an accounting education, they then moved to St John’s and then on to Toronto (where they welcomed son Robin). With Barbara working shifts as a registered nurse, Charl was very active in raising the young boys. While he mastered bath time, bedtime, diaper changing, and basic cooking skills, he often joked that he never managed to master gravy for Sunday dinner!

 

The couple then returned to St. John’s, buying a house on Vancouver Street, where they lived for over 40 years. At this stage of their marriage, Charl could regularly been seen driving the boys to the rink or the pool, or volunteering with their activities.

 

As the boys moved out and he and Barbara retired, the sense of wanderlust returned. Early in their retirement, they drove across Canada, regularly drove to winter in Florida, cruised Europe and visited Hawaii.

 

Retirement also marked the arrival of the six grandchildren. The bond he shared with each was strong. Over the years his time with them involved Friday play-days at the park (followed by the essential McDonald’s trip), watching their sports event, and even driving them to university (with a coffee on the way of course).

 

Later in life, Barbara’s health declined due to dementia. A dedicated husband, Charl cared for Barbara until she broke her hip and entered long term care. He visited her daily until his illness a few weeks ago. With Barbara in care, Charl’s sense of travel adventure retuned. His 80’s were marked by annual birthday trips to see his beloved Maple Leafs with family and his solo spring trips to Jamaica.

 

As we celebrate Charl’s life, we thank the extended teams of the palliative care unit, 4 North A, haematology, oncology, as well as Dr. L. Adams for their care and compassion.

 

Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday, February 16th.

 

Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 17th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Logy Bay Road. Inurnment to follow at the Anglican Cemetery Columbarium, Kenmount Road.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity of one’s choice. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.carnells.com.

 

Schedule

Visitations

2-4 p.m. on February 16, 2020

7-9 p.m. on February 16, 2020

Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map


funeral

11:00am, Monday February 17th

St. Mark's Anglican Church
203 Logy Bay Rd, St. John's


Condolences

Leave a Condolence

Your email address will not be published.


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

To the Brown and Button Families,
Our lives are better because of the touch of your father’s/grandfather’s /loved ones life on ours. He was a very gentle person who expressed great love for you all. He was devoted to visiting your mom/nan every day..
The tribute was beautifully written.
We are sorry that we cannot attend his funeral service but we are with you in our hearts and prayers. May the service be a celebration of his life and the wonderful person he was.. He will live on in your hearts. May you feel the love that surrounds you and the caring thoughts that are with yo.u..
Deepest Sympathy.
Elsie and Max Squires

I have many fond memories of Mr. Brown from the rink! Such a nice man!! Sincere condolences to the family!

To The Brown Family;
Thinking of you all at this difficult time and sending sincere condolences to Barb and Family. I graduated with Barb many years ago and even though we haven’t seen each other for quite some time my thoughts and prayers are with you today.
sincerely, Phyllis (Jarvis) Hansford

The Brown family
Bob and I were saddened to hear of your Dad’s passing. I graduated with your Mom many years ago and we spent a lot of time together during our training years. Your Dad took such wonderful care of your Mom during her illness. We are thinking about all of you at this difficult time and you must all take care of your Mom as well as each other now.
Jan Crocker

Trav, Robin and families,
My deepest sympathy to all of you at this very sad time.
Charl and Barb (and all of you) were special family friends for many years, from St.John’s to Toronto and back to St. John’s again…..so many wonderful memories.
Always looked forward to our Christmas Eve dinners together until Barb’s illness made that no longer possible.
I still enjoyed my visits with both of them at Barb’s new “home” and will miss seeing and chatting with him at these visits.
RIP Charl
Love to all the family
Rowena

Barb,,Trevor, and Robin ,and your families,
Deepest sympathy .i shall miss seeing and chatting with your dad at Sobeys etc…..many years ago I and other hockey parents ,,of course including your mom and dad spent many hours together, at the rinks, watching our boys play hockey. . . And traveling with your hockey teams.. Those were special times and memories..may the memories of times you spent with your dad bring you comfort.. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely
Marilyn, Pike..,…Dave and Greg

Trevor, Robin and family. So sorry to hear of your dads passing. I worked with your dad at City hall. He was a fine gentleman. He spoke fondly of Barbara and his boys and of course his grandchildren. So much pride. Thinking of you at this difficult time. RIP Charlie.

Sending you our deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one.

Carol, Rick, Jordan & Nathan Button

Trevor, Robin and families,
Deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to all of you at this time of great loss and sadness.
Please give your mom a big hug from me when you see her. We have been such good friends for so many years, and will surely miss the visits when they came to Gander, a tradition your father kept up even after your mom could no longer travel..
Love to you all.
Joan and Mel

Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I remember him well from growing up on Quebec St.

Thinking of you all today and sending our condolences to Barbara and family.

Sad to hear of your Dad’ s recent passing. I graduated with your Mom, Barb and worked with her for years. She expressed such compassion and care to her patients, just as your father so lovingly cared for Barb with such devotion during her present illness with his daily visits. Such a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Sending condolences to all the family and remembering the kind, gentle man, who will be missed by all who were fortunate to know him.
Sincerely,
Florence Button

To Barb, Travor and Robin and your families s We were so sorry to learn of your father’s passing as we spoke to him late last fall. He never failed to attend all your sports events and his care and love of your mother was exceptional. He was a wonderful role model as a father and grandfather. We are thinking of you at this time and we are sorry to lose an old friend.
Max and Phyllis Beckett

To the Brown Family: We are sorry to hear of Charlie’s passing. He certainly was a dedicated Husband and Father. We had the honor of meeting him on several occasions. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Rev. Roy and Daphne Martin (sister of Viola Brown).

To Alex & Family
We are sorry to hear of your Grandfather’s passing.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Love and Prayers to you and your family at this time.
The “Pikes”

Please accept my deepest sympathy to the Brown Family, extended families & friends. I hope you each find comfort sharing memories and celebrating a life well lived & loved.

The beautifully written, honest, witty tribute made me smile. Travor, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree as you have many of your Father’s admirable characteristics. You were an inspirational MUN professor who made a positive impact. I am so sorry for your grief and pain today. Take care.