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Charles Fitzpatrick Bark, Chad, passed away peacefully in his hundredth year on March 31, 2024, at Matthews House Hospice in Alliston, Ontario. Chad was predeceased by loving parents, Walter and Mary, devoted wife of 73 years, Lyn, brothers Don and John and son John. He will be sadly missed by sister, Molly Stevenson, sister in law Joan Bark, daughter Sue (Chuck Waterman MacIvern), son Don (Ruth), daughter Barb (Grant MacIver), and grandchildren Jennifer (Dave Holmes), Alison, Chad (Yara) Waterman, Laura ((Dennis Logronio), Mary (Dave) Bark, Patricia Maciver, Sarah Maciver (Graeme Adair) and Jason
(Stephanie) Bark, and great grandchildren Ben and Maryn Waterman-Holmes, Faith Bark, Karlie MacIver Fahrni, Ainsley and Malcolm Adair, and Eva Bark.
Born July 16, 1924, Chad was a proud Torontonian. The eldest of four, he spent his childhood years on Eastbourne Avenue and at Chad’s Island, the family cottage on the Severn River. While in elementary school, his father founded the Coal Bin Club to instill ethical and effective leadership in his boys. The Coal Bin Club produced winning hockey and baseball teams and taught Chad the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, hard work and strong ethics.. Chad and his brothers attended University of Toronto School (UTS) for high school. He was proud to be part of the UTS family and made many life friendships. Chad became an outstanding player for both the UTS football and hockey teams and continued playing professional football and junior hockey after UTS.
With WW2 raging, Chad left UTS to join the armed forces before he turned 18. He spent a lot of his army days playing football, hockey, peeling potatoes and running the track after committing a minor transgression or prank that he found funny. He was shipped overseas to Northern England as a signalman, then became part of the Canadian contingent who helped liberate Holland.
After the war, Chad returned to Toronto, joined his father at Bark & Mortimer Insurance and married his war – time sweetheart, Lyn Walton. Lyn and Chad had four children within 6 years. Over the next decades, Chad was very busy with family, work and community. He worked long hours as an insurance broker, director of the Ontario Transport Board and the Federal Veteran Affairs in Charlottetown. Chad was an active member at Glenview Presbyterian Church, taught Sunday school, coached hockey and became a beloved greeter and elder. As well, Chad was a Mason, member of the Board of Trade and an active member of the Conservative Party committed to making Canada a great country from coast to coast to coast. Chad was on the Canada Unity Council and became a candidate for the federal Conservatives in 1974. He was also an avid golfer, joined Lambton Golf Club and became a life member. Chad got three holes in one, often scored his age and won many awards.
After retiring, Chad and Lyn spent over twenty winters in Destin, Florida with fellow snowbirds where he played golf. His favourite trip was to Africa where he had many wild animal encounters. Chad moved to Kingsmere Retirement Residence in Alliston in 2017 where he lived with wife Lyn until 2020 when she passed away. Chad became a ‘grandfather’ to a number of staffers and workers while at Kingsmere. He loved his nightly visits with friendly, caring staff and was delighted when they laughed at his jokes. His family felt truly blessed by the outpouring of support and show of affection Chad received while at Kingsmere. Crystal, Kirstie and Marg, thank you for your ongoing support and extra-special love you gave to Chad. Chad’s final two weeks of life were at Matthews House Hospice in Alliston. Chad’s family and the Kingsmere staff who came to visit him, were enveloped by the kind, compassionate, caring, helpful and supportive staff and volunteers at Matthews House. Chad’s family extend their deepest gratitude to all for being there for Chad and his family.
We also thank Matthews House for organizing a birthday party for Chad. He so wanted to celebrate his hundredth birthday with his family and Matthews House made it happen three months early. Seventeen family members sang happy birthday to Dad/Grumps in the great room making it possible for him to enjoy the early celebration of his big day. To Dr. L. Jansen, a heartfelt thank you for providing the best medical care possible and treating Chad like family.
Chad was outgoing, friendly, had an ‘interesting’ sense of humour and loved striking up conversations with strangers. It did not matter where or what the occasion, he never lost an opportunity to chat. His love of life, optimistic outlook and caring, friendly nature made Chad much loved in Toronto, Florida and at Kingsmere Residence in Alliston, Ontario.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Chad and Lyn on Saturday, July 6, 2024 from 2 to 4 pm at Glenview Presbyterian Church, 1 Glenview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4R1P5. In memory of Chad, donations can be made to Glenview Presbyterian Church or Matthews House Hospice, 131 Wellington St. E, Alliston, L9R 1G7.

2024

Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd

Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario

death notice Charles Fitzpatrick Bark

obituaries notice Charles Fitzpatrick Bark

We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Charles Fitzpatrick Bark  and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.