February 2, 1932 - February 10, 2021
Peter passed away quietly on February 10, 2021, just after his 89th birthday, at Peace Arch hospital with family by his side.
Peter was born February 2 1932 in Shamrock Saskatchewan where his parents had homesteaded before the 1st World War from France. Peter was the youngest of 5 children. The family moved after World War 2 to Mission B.C.
As a teenager his formal education ended when he was in grade 9. He worked many jobs but mostly focused in the forestry industry. At 20 years of age he married Blanche Kaufman, with whom he raised 4 children, Douglas Charles (deceased)(Toni), Paula Wells, Graham Charles (Mary) and Russelle Charles.
In 1966 Peter quit logging and traded his farm in Mission for the J&H grocery in White Rock, which he later sold to the Soo family, which is now commonly known as Laura's Coffee Shop. During his time running the store Peter got to know almost everyone. He was an innovative shop keeper, selling anything from vitamins and natural health foods (which customers would come from all over to purchase), meats, the best penny candy selection around, and fireworks.
Kids would save up their allowance to buy fireworks and Peter would keep them all labeled behind the counter for them to pick up on October 31, not a day before! Peter offered credit to customers who couldn't afford to pay, and when he sold the shop everyone came to pay their dues, and the list was long! Those were the days of small town White Rock.
After his time at the grocery store he then became a real estate agent (the corner store expert), selling almost every corner store in B.C. His claim to fame was that of many, one being that he was the first person to sell a whole town (Spuzzum, just past Hope), and the other being that he received the "Quarter Million Dollar Club" in 1972, an achievement from the MLS.
Peter was president of the little league baseball association, where he coached and together with other like minded dads started the little league annual parade. He was also president of the hockey association and the lions club.
He loved camping and fishing, and was even published in the paper for having a 10 pound Salmon jump into his boat on the Nicomekl River. What a tale to be told! Peter had endless stories like this to tell.
In 1981 Peter lost his wonderful wife Blanche to cancer. He then met his loving wife Joan and they had been married nearly 40 years. With now six children between them, he adds Shayne Cochrane (Jeff), and Bart Grimes. He had 8 grandchildren who will miss him dearly, calling him Papa. Ryan, Brody, and Troy Charles, Jayden Wells, Bree McKinnon, Sal Charles, Nicholas Charles, and Celena Cochrane.
He had 6 great grandchildren, Zander, Mateja, Kyrin, Declan, Mac and Charlie.
Peter loved his house, watching the Canucks and his garden (his happy place), But he especially loved his family.
The Charles family would like to thank the staff at Peace Arch hospital for your kindness. Due to covid restrictions there will be no service at this time. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your favourite charity.