Charles passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC surrounded by family on November 22. Predeceased by his wife, Jessie Miller Tyndall (2004) and son, Michael John Tyndall (2014). Charles will be sadly missed by his daughter, Terry Harper (Bill), his daughter-in-law, Cornelia Tyndall, and his seven grandchildren, Nicola, Alec, Gillian, Mariano, Jennifer, Danilo, and Cheryl, and five great-grandchildren, Gwendolen, Ellis, Marcus, Bailey, and Kai.
Charles was born in Ahmednagar of Irish parents stationed in India with the British Army. He grew up in England, graduating from the University of Cambridge before serving as a Captain in the Royal Engineers in Holland and Germany during WWII. The “Peripatetic Pakistani” later used a little know demobilization statute to circumnavigate the world via Palestine, Iraq, Singapore, Hawaii, San Francisco, and New York.
After the war, while distributing diesel power plants throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, he met the love of his life, Jessie Danforth Miller. They were married in Mexico City on November 10, 1952. Charles and Jessie searched the world for a place to settle down and raise a family. In 1956, they bought an orchard and moved to Naramata, BC.
Charles bought the first of many sailboats in 1957, which began a lifelong love of sailing. Charles was a world-class competitive sailor, a founding member of SOSA, Commodore of the Penticton Yacht Club, and Commodore of the North American Flying Dutchmen Association. Later in life, Charles cruised most of the Inside Passage. Charles was also an avid tennis player. As doubles partners, Charles and Jessie won the Gold Medal at the BC Senior Games in 1986.
Charles had a strong belief in community service and the need for quality education. He served eight years as Chairman of the Penticton School Board and later was a founding member of Glenfir School.
The last eight months of Charles’s life were spent at Sunrise Senior Living in Victoria, BC. The family would like to thank the terrific staff for all their support and compassionate care, as these were the happiest months of his life since Jessie died 12 years ago.
Charles had a full and happy life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Victoria Hospice 1952 Bay St, Victoria, BC V8R 1J8 or a charity of your choice.
Dad, our memories of you will live in our hearts forever.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Lynda & Ken Hewitt-White
We only recently learned of Charles’s passing, and were saddened by the news. Our condolences to the family.
Charles and Jessie were our landlords and neighbours for seven years in the 1990s, and we became good friends. We stayed in touch after our return to the Lower Mainland in 1998.
We saw Charles as often as possible when he lived in the village, although family caregiving prevented us from visiting as much as we’d have liked.
We’ll miss Charles’s dry wit, intelligent conversation, and the way he always made us feel so welcome.
One of our fondest memories is of Charles and Jessie, on a warm summer night, holding hands as they came up to the gatehouse to look at the stars through our large telescope. They were a wonderful team then, and it’s comforting to imagine they are once again.
We’ll always be grateful for those seven special years and for Charles and Jessie’s enduring friendship.
Our deepest sympathy,
Lynda (Sawula) & Ken Hewitt-White
Chilliwack, B.C.