Obituary of Charles Chapman Hyde

Charles Chapman Hyde passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on 1 December 2022.  Predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Margaret (nee Hannams), he leaves behind his son Thomas (Erna) and daughter Catherine (Anton), 6 grandchildren – Natasha (Ken) & Chelsea, Andrew (Maylee), Krista (Johann), Robert (Meredith) & Richard (Kelly) – and 12 great grandchildren. He loved his family deeply and was loved in return. He is reunited with his wife, parents Norman and Naomi, and sisters Joan, Norma Wilma, and Marjorie.

Charles was born in Fort William ON, and enjoyed a childhood surrounded by the lakes and trees of the boreal forest.  Soon after he graduated high school, he signed up with the RAF and served as a Wireless Air Gunner until the end of the war.  In 1950 he graduated with an Hons BA from the Ontario Agricultural College (Guelph) followed by a High School Specialists Certificate from the U of T. He started his teaching career at the Cobden District HS in 1951 and went on to teach at high schools in Woodstock, Galt & Fergus, finally retiring as Principal of the Arthur District HS in 1982.  He was a natural teacher – loved and respected by students and staff alike. Following retirement, Charles and Margaret moved to Owen Sound where they became avid lawn bowlers and gardeners & he fulfilled his dream of taking a sailboat out onto the Bay.   

Dad was devoted to his family. His children fondly remember summers spent roaming Ontario’s provincial parks, building the cottage on the Bruce, playing pickup ball after school and going on Sunday drives after church (never complete without ice cream from some rural general store).  His grandchildren remember his sense of humour, his love of writing and philosophy, and learned to play billiards under his expert instruction. 

A private interment of Charles ashes will take place in early May on what would have been his 100^th birthday.

Charles spent his last few years in the Rideau Veterans wing of the Perley Health Centre in Ottawa.  A special thank you to staff at the centre for the unfailing care & compassion that they showed him.  Memorial donations can be made to the Perley Health Foundation.