It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce that Charles “Chuck” Eugene Lalonde passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 77 on December 1, 2021 in Victoria, British Columbia.
Chuck was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on November 9, 1944. Much of his childhood was spent in the small northern Saskatchewan communities of Ranger, Leoville and his beloved Chitek Lake.
After completing his education to become a mason at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Institute, he met his soon-to-be wife Sandra “Sandi” in Melville Saskatchewan. Chuck and Sandi married in 1965 and relocated first to Saskatoon where they welcomed their 2 sons Clinton and Glendon. Chuck started to work with CN Rail and soon moved the family back to Melville, then on to Regina where they welcomed their third child Chardelle.
In 1974 the young family relocated to Lac La Biche, Alberta where Chuck became a masonry instructor at the Alberta Vocational College (now Portage College) retiring in 2005. Chuck and Sandi spent their retirement years dividing their time between their home in Melville Saskatchewan, their cabin at Chitek Lake and on the road crisscrossing Western Canada visiting many family and friends.
After Sandi’s death in 2011, Chuck moved to Chitek Lake. In 2013 he met his special companion Louise Ouimet and divided his time between Chitek Lake and Louise’s home in Thunder Bay, Ontario until relocating permanently to be closer to his children and grandchildren in Victoria7 in 2019 where he lived until his passing.
Of course, these are just the facts and the facts don’t tell the full story of who Chuck was.
Chuck was well known as an extraordinary bricklayer who cemented his legacy by not only building but teaching hundreds of others how to create structures, fireplaces, fences, storefronts and bar-b-ques. Chuck loved fishing. There wasn’t a pike, pickerel or perch that could avoid his trusty Len Thompson “Five of Diamonds” whether he was catching them in 5-foot waves on the open water or through 5 feet of ice in the winter.
Chuck was also well known for his love of hockey, from playing with his beloved Maroons to watching the Oilers to coaching and driving
his son’s minor hockey teams to their games. Crib, kaiser, lawn darts, Schmear, dice games – Chuck was a master of them all but often enjoyed the banter more than the competition itself. Spending time in the kitchen making his famous Nuts and Bolts, BBQ’ing a signature “Chuckie” burger or frying up fresh fish with his secret batter were just a few of Chuck’s well-known and well-loved dishes. He was extremely inclusive and often brought immediate and extended family together at his beloved cabin in Chitek Lake. His thoughtfulness, patience, humour and gentle soul will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
Chuck was predeceased by his wife Sandra; father Joseph and mother Esther (nee Slough) Lalonde; sister Esther ‘Sis’ and brother-in-law William ‘Bill’ Serhan. He leaves to mourn his passing 3 children, Clinton (Dana), Glendon and Chardelle (Ian) of Victoria BC; 3 grandchildren Cassandra, Maggie and Graeme; 2 great-grandchildren, Chani and Jude; sister, Joanne Fontaine; brother Donald Lalonde; special companion Louise Ouimet and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family members.
The Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Wednesday August 3rd, 2022 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family 123 Nelson Road in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A reception with light snacks will occur in the same location after the service to honour and remember Chuck.
Memorial donations in Chuck’s name can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada www.alzheimer.ca or to the Kiwanis Pavilion Oak Bay www.kiwanispavilion.ca
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Shirley Broback
-
Tracy Zayik Growing up in LLB with all the fond memories and the Lalonde family was a big part of them memories! The best was at Christmas when Chuck would decorate the house up so nicely!! He would freeze lights in ice cream pails and put them under the snow! I will always remember the beautiful glow! Rest In Peace Chuck , your soft eyes and warm smile will live on in everyone’s hearts ♥️
-
Chris Ewasiuk and Carol Hennig Beautiful tribute. Thinking of you this week as you celebrate Chuck’s life.
-
Clint Lalonde Thanks all for your kind words.
-
Leiflynn Turberfield Deepest sympathies to the family. I was Clint and Glen’s babysitter many many years ago in Melville. They lived down the block from us. Not sure why I remember this and probably the boys won’t remember me but I just wanted to pass on my condolences. My name at the time was Leiflynn Sorensen.
-
Lucille Lalonde I am saddened by the loss of Cousin Chuck. One of the many great things he did for the cousins in the extended Lalonde was to compile a family tree when genealogy was in its infancy. I still have my paper copy, probably 25 years old now. My condolences to his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all.
-
Dave Winger What an awesome friend he was to us all here in Lac La Biche. He was the kind of fellow that would do anything for anybody and you couldn’t help but love the guy. I always looked up to him and with great respect admired him as a role model. Chuck was classic and built memories for all of us in all he did. He was 10-15 years older than us all and taught us all crazy how to do it yourself shortcuts and could MacGyver anything to work. He loved ABBA and didn’t play anything else in the basement after late night hockey games. He was the puck man. I was the beer man. When he left town he gave us all a puck that simply said “Thanks for the memories”. He took the Maroons up to Chitek Lake, good times… He was the first to have a power ice drill complete with an airplane starter that took 3 guys to run, 2 to hold it as Chuck hooked up the booster cables to his beloved old blue truck. We sold tickets on his truck when he was about to leave town and made Chucky a good bit of cash to head out with. Such good times we had and he will always be part of us. Rest in Peace Chuck. Love ya. Dave Winger
-
Margaret Bartlett Chuck was well loved by myself and all staff. He always had smile for all of us. He is missed❤️
-
Tony Fayad I’m very sorry of the passing of a great man. Your dad was one of a kind. I’ll never forget his smile walking into Alberts store. I’d like to send my condolences to the late Chuck’s family.
What a lovely tribute to your dad, Clint. I’m very sorry for your loss. I’ll be thinking of you during your service. Big hugs to you and all who are missing him.