Charles Alexander Sutherland

July 23, 1929 - March 2, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
Charlie died peacefully, surrounded by family at Castleview Care Center at 92 years of age. Charlie is remembered as a very special man by his family, friends and coworkers. He was a pillar, a foundation and the center of his family until the day he died.
He was born into the Great Recession on July 23, 1929 to parents Catherine and Gordon Sutherland in Wadena, Saskatchewan. When Charlie was 7 years old, his family including sisters, Gladys and Doris moved to Kaslo B.C. where he spent the remainder of his childhood.
These frugal times, part time work at his Father's machine shop, and the wilds of Kaslo, shaped Charlie into the industrious, clever outdoorsman he would remain for life.
He graduated from Kaslo High School in 1947 and then studied at the University of British Columbia attaining a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1952. He then returned to the Kootenays to work for Cominco Inc. for his entire career. Diligent and hardworking, he enjoyed a very successful career, known worldwide for his contributions to the global metallurgical processing and smelting community.
Shortly after joining Cominco he met the love of his life, Glenda. They married in 1956 and raised 4 children. Glenda passed in Dec 2012 after 56 years of marriage. Charlie is survived by his children: Grant, Scott, Jillian Beland, Carol Townsend and eight grandchildren.
He was an accomplished fly fisherman, hunter and golfer and so loved his family cabin on Queens Bay, Kootenay Lake. As a true renaissance man, he would take on the most challenging projects with blind determination and usually with success. When things didn't work out, he was the first to see the humor of the situation. Charlie was known to fill every minute of the day with projects. He was always up early and to bed late.
Known for is dry wit and sense of humor, Charlie was an easy man to like. He had an infectious smile, a wonderful laugh and giggle, and tremendous patience. As a man of few words, he had a rich vocabulary that included many alternatives to swearing like: Fiddlesticks, Balderdash, Suffering succotash, Rubbish, Oh frig, Deep in Dodo, Heavens to Betsy and other colorful sayings.
What a life, what a man. Suffering succotash, he will be missed!
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 2pm at St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Trail, BC. Andreas Schmitz of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
A gathering will take place at the family home in Genelle following the service to celebrate Charlie's life.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence by visiting the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca

Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services