Charles O'Neal Thompson
November 6th, 2018
Charles O’Neal Thompson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary, AB. He was 80 years old.
Charles was born on November 26, 1937 in Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies, to Constance Leader and William Thompson. Growing up, Charles enjoyed playing cricket and football (soccer). At age 18, Charles left St. Kitts for England to join the Royal Air Force where he trained to become a mechanic. It was in England that he met his first wife, Dorothy Robinson. They were married in June, 1963 and their daughter, Samantha, was born the following year.
The family travelled and lived in many countries, including Jamaica, Puerto Rico, England, and the U.S., before settling in Canada in 1973. They settled in Belleville, ON where Charles held a variety of sales jobs. A downturn in the Ontario economy led Charles to seek work in Alberta in 1981, with his wife and daughter following in 1982. Following the passing of his wife in 1983, Charles felt called to study to become a minister. His love of God and ease with people made his new vocation a good fit for him.Charles’s love of, family, food, and his sense of humour was immediately evident to everyone who knew him.
On June 20,1987 Charles married Nelia Silvera Boyd; they were married for 31 years. They enjoyed travelling together to Jamaica, Florida, Toronto, California, and Idaho to visit family. Nelia will miss her travelling partner.
Charles is survived by his wife Nelia of Calgary; daughter, Samantha Franklin, her husband, Robert, and their children Julia and Ian, all of Lewiston, Idaho; stepson Humphrey Gordon and his partner Sandra Crooks of Calgary, and their children Chelsea Gordon, of Vancouver, Quinn Gordon, of Calgary, and Chantell Cowan of Toronto, ON; stepson Jeff Gordon and his wife Dawn of Calgary, and their sons Malcolm Gordon of London, ON, and Marcus Gordon, wife Danielle, and daughter Neveah, of Calgary; stepson Garfield Gordon of Toronto, ON; stepdaughter Andria Boyd and her husband Chris Saunders, also of Toronto, ON. He is also survived by his sisters Gwen Alford of Long Island, NY, Pat Thompson of Bronx, NY; and Laurita Charles of North York, ON, and their respective families; and numerous relatives.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Dawes and Dr. Lam, and the nursing staff of Unit 42 at the Peter Lougheed Centre for their dedicated care of Charles during his time there. His loss will be mourned by those who loved him and knew him, but comfort will come from knowing that Charles is at eternal peace and rest in the presence of the Lord.
A Memorial Service will be held at Bridges Church, 404 10 St NE, (at the corner of 2nd Ave. & 10th St. NE in Bridgeland) in Calgary on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made online to one of the following charities, or to the charity of your choice:
Kids’ World Malawi: http://kidsworldmalawi.com
The Mustard Seed, Calgary: https://theseed.ca/donate/
Alzheimer Society Calgary: https://www.alzheimercalgary.ca/
Remembering Charlie, especially memories from the years we attended the same church. I am grateful for my visit with him in the hospital last summer when we spoke about the goodness and faithfulness of God and prayed together for God's care and direction in the days to come. Your Dad is home now. Thinking of you and yours as you move through these days of mourning and beyond.