“Life began in a garden.”
Chuck enjoyed a strong faith and a passion for gardening. He spent countless hours tending to and caring for a variety of plants and flowers. Work would begin by carefully selecting and ordering the seeds for the coming year. Every February, he would begin his garden in his basement greenhouse, preparing the soil and planting his seeds. Months later and after much care, he would prepare to harvest his crop, and would carefully select the perfect array of vegetables for the Chesley Fall Fair. He and his family spent much of the year enjoying the fruits of his labour. Chuck had much to be proud of, and his gardens were just a small portion of his life. He loved his family dearly, and will now live on in their thoughts, memories and storytelling. We lost a great man but let us take comfort in all that he provided for us!
Charles Bruce Beamer was born on February 7, 1934 in Meaford, Ontario, to parents Lloyd and Olive (Monkman) Beamer. He was predeceased by his brother Henry (1928) in infancy and joined his older sister Phyllis in the Beamer home. The family resided on Aiken Street, on the edge of town and soon welcomed the youngest addition to the family, Ruth.
During his early days, Chuck’s love for science and nature was fostered by his parents. The Beamer family had a huge garden filled with lots of fruits, vegetables and flowers of all kinds. It was here that Chuck’s interests blossomed, playing in the Meaford Pipe Band as a drummer, in addition to enjoying hunting with his dog, King. After completing both public school and high school in Meaford, Chuck followed in his parent’s footsteps and he decided to attend summer school to begin a career in teaching. Chuck taught for one year, at a one room school outside of Meaford, before heading off to the University of Guelph to complete his 4 year Bachelor of Science Degree, graduating in 1957.
In 1956, Chuck took a summer job with the Department of Lands & Forest, based out of Cochrane, Ontario. After disembarking the train, he settled in and was quick to make friends. On one occasion, Chuck’s roommate invited him to attend a party with a group of his friends and it was there that he was introduced to Helen Marie Johnson. The two hit it off immediately and were married a year later on August 26, 1957 at St. Paul’s United Church in Cochrane. The newlyweds soon settled in Sudbury where Chuck took a position at Nickel District Secondary School.
Throughout the next several years, Chuck would spend many summers, continuing to further his education, obtaining a Bachelor of Education Degree, a High School Specialist Certificate in Science and his Secondary School Principal’s Qualifications. Chuck taught Science and Chemistry at Nickel District Secondary School from 1957-1962, and was head of the Science Department from 1959-1962. He then headed to LaSalle Secondary School continuing in his role as Science Department head. Soon, thereafter, in 1964, Chuck was appointed Vice-Principal at Garson-Falconbridge Secondary School and in 1966 appointed Principal of the school. Chuck was extremely well respected throughout his teaching career and when not teaching, he was spending time with the students, coaching football and track and field.
Life was busy at home as well. Helen and Chuck’s family soon began to grow with the additions of David, Randi, Nancy and Michael. In February of 1969, Chuck was presented with an opportunity to interview for the position of Superintendent of Schools for the Bruce County Board of Education during a typical February winter day!! Despite, Helen’s reluctance to move, the Beamer family relocated to Bruce County in August of 1969. They spent their first month in Sauble Falls and then rented on First Avenue in Chesley for a few months while their home on Tower Road was being built. The next chapter of their lives had begun. Chuck and Helen were blessed to have moved to Chesley and soon developed an amazing circle of friends. The Beamer home became a loving, lively second home to many friends of the Beamer children.
During Chuck’s career as a Superintendent of Education, he was known as a caring, supportive, straight shooter! He loved education and was esteemed and admired by those who crossed his path. He was a huge supporter of the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre and Special Education. Chuck was instrumental in the construction of a new high school in Port Elgin, inclusive of a pool for the school and the Port Elgin community. Chuck was dedicated to his career and to education and was well known for snowshoeing to work, during the winter days when travelling from Tower Road to the Board Office was difficult. Chuck would remain in this position for the next 22 years, retiring in 1991 after an incredible 34 year career as an educator, making enormous contributions: tremendous accomplishments and impacting his students and families alike. Chuck was a great leader and a great man!
Weekends and summer months meant valuable family time for the Beamer family. The family trip to visit some of the Johnson clan in North Bay was a constant, every summer, as were family potlucks and skiing/snowshoeing on many Sundays with friends. Likewise, who could forget the trips to the Ramada Inn in Bay City, Michigan? You may ask why Bay City and why a Ramada Inn… well this hotel was state-of-the-art at the time with a swimming pool, theatre and bowling alley for all to enjoy. Chuck and the kids attended Globetrotters games and even Military Tattoos. Chuck was a great supporter of his children’s activities whether it was hockey, soccer, baseball, or school music concerts. Endless hours were also spent at the family pool. When not busy with the kids, Helen and Chuck enjoyed entertaining, looking forward to their yearly progressive New Year’s Eve party and their get-togethers with friends. Chuck was smart, loyal and a laid back man who loved to laugh. He was witty, loved a good limerick and was known for his sense of humour. He enjoyed some downtime during his summer vacation at Sauble Beach with friends and family. Many good times were had by all telling jokes and of course “leading the choir”!
Chuck was community oriented and was constantly looking for ways to give back to his community. Over the years, he volunteered his time with the Alzheimer Society, Cancer Society, Grey-Bruce Children Services, Chesley Minor Hockey, Chesley Arena Board, Chesley Agricultural Society and at his church, St. John’s United. These were but a few of Chuck’s ways of giving back.
When not gardening, Chuck enjoyed bird watching and anything nature related. His children and grandchildren have many fond memories of hatching ducks and pheasants at home, in incubators, stopping on the side of the road to help a turtle cross, going for a drive to catch a glimpse of the Snowy Owls on the hydro poles North of Chesley or watching the regal Red Tailed Hawk soar through the sky. Chuck loved holidays especially Christmas, including shopping and wrapping gifts during the holiday. However, Groundhog’s Day was the most memorable holiday for the Beamer family, but not for the reason you may think. Every year, on this day, Chuck bought Helen flowers. When Chuck was asked why he gave flowers to Helen on Groundhog’s Day, he responded that this was the anniversary of their first ever fight (which neither can remember the reason), and so this was a token of his love and commitment to his wife that never faltered.
When Chuck retired, he was quoted as saying he “dedicated his life to being a full-time grandfather and part-time gardener”. He enjoyed introducing his grandchildren to his love of music from Pipe Bands, Etta James and Big Band to the comedic singing of Ray Stevens. He could often be found bouncing his grandchildren on his knee and whistling his favourite ditty. Chuck’s love of music continued into the movies with a particular fondness for the Disney classic “The Jungle Book”. He can be credited for making sure that all the grandchildren had seen this movie at least once, and often multiple times – with King Louie being a favourite.
Chuck loved everything Canada had to offer, from our history, to our sports and sports teams, particularly the Leafs and Argos. Nothing says you are more Canadian than Chuck’s favourite television show – The Royal Canadian Air Farce! Chuck also enjoyed his food. Spaghetti, panzerotti, peanut butter, Spanish onions, any fresh vegetables (from his garden of course) and banana peppers were but a few of his favourites. Let’s not forget of course a good cold OV or Black Label or a good Red Stripe while vacationing down south.
Chuck was always on time, and his watch was always an important part of his wardrobe. He was always there to support those around him, whether you were a student, co-worker, friend or child. Chuck taught his children the value of money and instilled in them a strong work ethic. He did this by leading by example and only missed one day of work during his 30+ year career. Amazing. All these traits, characteristics and stories have been passed down to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, allowing Chuck to live on in all of them for years to come.
Sadly, Chuck passed away suddenly at home on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in his 87th year.
Beloved husband of Helen (Johnson). Loving father of David (Connie) of New Westminster, B.C., Randi Varga, Nancy (Shawn) Morrow, all of Chesley and Michael (Tracy) of Canmore, Alberta. Chuck enjoyed a special relationship with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved to spend time with all of them. Cherished grandfather of Brenda (Ryan), Lacey, Adam (Hellen), Toni (Mike), Molly, Sadie, Kaitlyn (James), Stephanie (Chris) and great-grandfather of Hunter, Benjamin, Ava, Elsa, Ainsley, Sophia, Kayla, Silas, Nathan, Finn, Kalleigh, Greyson, Ezra and the newest addition, Knox. He will be dearly missed by his sisters Phyllis McNaughton of Victoria, B.C., and Ruth Milani of Meaford, Ontario. Chuck will be fondly remembered by the entire Johnson family, many close friends, including life-long friends Don and Sheila Cox (known to his children as Aunt Sheila and Uncle Don) and their family. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Tim Klages, brother Henry, and his parents Lloyd and Olive (Monkman) Beamer.
The love and support of family and friends are so important at times like these, and even more so when we are not permitted to gather to support one another. Please leave a detailed condolence, or perhaps a favourite story, or a way Chuck touched your life – something to inspire a measure of comfort and hope to all who read these comments. Thank you!
A celebration of Chuck’s life will be tentatively scheduled in July when family can be home with one another. Inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Alzheimer Society, two charities near and dear to Chuck, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
