With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Dad, Charlie, who is now with his cherished wife Doreen at the feet of their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Charlie was born on March 4th, 1934, in Victoria, BC, and grew up on the family farm. He is predeceased by his parents Harry and Janet Borden and his sister Roberta (Jollymore). He is survived by his sister Velda (Dunn) and his brother Bruce. He attended Cloverdale Elementary and Mt. View schools, but by the eighth grade, he left to help with the family farm and feed business. With his father’s encouragement, Charlie took on many roles for the family. From driving and delivering to mixing feed and attending to customers. His hard work and dedication led him to expand on the Borden group of companies when on a handshake he created Borden House Corporation. Aptly named, the new commercial building for the feed business as well as additional office space was built where the family home stood. Ten years later, he not only added a second floor to the building, when challenged by the pricing of propane for the feed business, Charlie once again created a new company, his own successful business, VI Propane. Charlie was known for his strong work ethic and always gave his best to employees, customers and suppliers.
Charlie’s warm heart and faith in God directed his life. He served as an altar boy at St. Luke’s Church, where he met his wife, Doreen. He would make sure his delivery truck was empty of ride along passengers on deliveries to Tyndall Drive so he could offer her a ride if he saw her walking home to the Drury Dairy farm. In 1957, Charlie and Doreen married and spent over 60 wonderful years together.
Charlie was a loving and caring father to their children—Brenda (Dan), Stephen (Sue), and Nancy (Sonny)—and a proud Poppa to his grandchildren: Tim (Jaclyn), Kate (Tony), Alea (Travis), Chelsea (Shea), Hayley, and Luke. He also adored his great-grandchildren: Emily, Ava, Lacey, Denver, Journey, Loki, and Charlie.
Throughout his life, Charlie loved to help others. He volunteered and supported Camp Qwanoes, served abroad as a missionary in Ethiopia, and was a member of Saanich Baptist Church. Charlie’s kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.
A heartfelt thank you to Michele, Katie and Janelle from Qualicare Homecare for your gentle, steadfast care.
Join us for a celebration of Charlie’s life which will be held at Saanich Baptist Church, 4347 Wilkinson Road, December 12th, 2024, at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
14 Responses
Brenda & family,
We are all sorry to hear of Charlie’s passing. Please know we are thinking of you all.
Love & warm hugs from the Vickerys
42 years ago Charlie began the tradition of bringing the Borden feed truck by barge to our farm on Prevost Island. He was always cheerful, friendly, kind and helpful, as are all of you who we do business with at Borden Mercantile. Our deepest sympathy to all the family, and thank you for your service and friendship.
Barbara de Burgh
Brenda, Dan, Chelsea, Shea, Alea, Travis and families. Our thoughts are with you at this time of your dad/Poppas passing.
With Sympathy,
Pat and Bill Day
My thoughts are with you all in this loss of a patriarch of such a family.
I did not know “Charlie” personally. I knew of him as the wonderful family he built in the business of VIP Propane which I have been dealing with for 20 years. Each person I have met is a testament to his business values.
Have peace in knowing heaven has a new special angle to watch over you all as you go forward in the world.