Donald Charters

Donald Alexander Charters July 17, 1923-May 14, 2020
Passed away peacefully in Muskoka at the age of 96. Just two months shy of  his 97th birthday.
Don was a Flying Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II stationed in Scotland.
He worked with his father Morris and brother Ken in the family business, M.C.Charters & Sons, Ltd. He was an accomplished, third generation steel-cut engraver. During Don's tenure as Art Director, an M.C. Charters Engraving Portfoliio won Best of Show in an Annual International Engravers Association show (circa 1980.) It is in the collection of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 1986, M. C. Charters produced a beautiful and practical limited edition book called "Lasting Impressions." It is filled with photographs of Don's hands engraving and hand-produced examples of the engravers and embossers art, from hand-engraving, to foil stamping and pastel leafing,

Together with Ron Jackson, he started the Corduroy Enduro in 1953 in Halliburton. Today it continues to be the premier two-day off road motorcycle event in Canada and is the subject of the 2010 documentary "Two Days in September" directed by John Dinsmore. A favourite memory was when he broke his ankle while riding his motorcycle. The doctor suggested that he should retire from riding since he was 86 and still riding his dirt bike!

Painting was a lifelong passion that he shared with his late cousins, late Tom Hodgson and Dean Charters. He woke us up to the sound of Finlandia on the phonograph and raced us to the river for a quick swim. He was filled with endless joy in God's creation.
Don was primarily a family man, embarking on the adventure of a second family in 1963. He was a romantic till the end. Every day he would go visit his wife two floors up on the Dementia LTC home where they lived in Ontario. He would kiss her on the cheek and tell her he loved her. Even if she didn’t know who he was.

We are thankful for the adventures he took us on. Along the way he taught us loyalty, love, the importance of faith, how to be good scouts, to do what is right-even if it hurts and how to keep on laughing!

He will be sorely missed by his loving wife Pauline Stassen Charters of 56 years, his seven children & their families : Robert, Catherine (Jeff), Ken, Dori, Alex (Julia), Andrew (Jenni), David (Julie).
Grandfather/Opa to 12 grandchildren, five great grandchildren. Uncle, Great Uncle and friend to many
Private burial will be held at Memorial Gardens, Thornhill. Celebration of life to be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be great fully appreciated to Friends of Beacon : Friendsofbeacon.org
We are all grateful that, despite Covid-19 restrictions, that his youngest son Dave was able to be with him when he passed away.