CHARLES C. HATHAWAY
Charles Hathaway of Parksville (Craig Bay) died while in Qualicum Manor on Monday, March 24, after a brave battle with ALS.
He was born July 16, 1928 near Corpus Christi, Texas to Elmer and Margaret Hathaway and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 18, serving overseas on Okinawa. Following his discharge, he enrolled in Texas Christian University, receiving his B. Comm. in 1953.
For the next 30 years he was employed as a petroleum landman for oil companies in both the U.S. and Canada. It was in 1955 while working in Calgary that he met and married the former Bernice Stoddart of Windermere, BC. They have two sons, James of Tucson, AZ and Mark (wife Maritza) of Toronto. He is also survived by granddaughter Jamila in Toronto and his sister, Delores Larson of Texas.
Charles’ avocation was flying and he obtained his pilot’s license at 16. Following retirement, he discovered remote control airplanes and after moving to Vancouver Island in 1997 became active in the PDQ Flyers. The Club and its members gave him much pleasure and the family appreciates their concern for him during his difficult illness.
We also thank Darcy and her staff at Qualicum Manor for the outstanding care he received there.
At Charles’ request, there will be no funeral.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of BC, North Island Chapter, Box 166, Bowser, BC V0R 1G0,
High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on
laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed and
joined the tumbling mirth
On sun-spit clouds – and
done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of –
wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind
along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air
Up, up the long delirious blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept
heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle, flew;
And, with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and
touched the face of God. J.G. Magee, Jr.