Charles Dunnet CORMACK

CORMACK Charles Dunnet July 28, 1915 - October 31, 2009 It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Charles Dunnet Cormack announces his passing on October 31, 2009 in Penticton Regional Hospital at the age of 94. Charlie was born July 28, 1915, in Vancouver to Scottish immigrants Robert and Jessie Cormack. A great lover of the outdoors, he spent his youth hiking and fishing in the mountains and lakes surrounding Vancouver. He followed his father into the BC Sugar Refinery, working as a gardener during the Great Depression. In 1942, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, attained his wings and the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He did aerial surveillance along the British Columbia coast for several months before being posted to England and Southeast Asia where he flew Dakota DC3s. When the war ended, he returned to Vancouver where he met Mary Elizabeth Reinhart. Charlie and Mary married in 1947 and moved to Toronto where Charlie spent the next four years studying at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. After his graduation, Charlie and Mary returned to British Columbia and settled in Prince George where Charlie started a chiropractic practice that would span 36 years. Generations of Prince George residents will remember the care they received at his hands. Charlie built a cabin at Cluculz Lake where the family enjoyed many delightful summers and family gatherings. He loved fishing, hunting, tennis, gardening and reading. He particularly loved handball and played well into his seventies, enjoying the competition and comradeship of the game. For many years, he participated in the Cormack Cup, a handball tournament in Prince George. After a long and respected career, Charlie retired and he and Mary moved to Penticton where they enjoyed a happy and productive retirement. They travelled, gardened, enjoyed their family, and made many new friends. Charlie had many passions and interests. He loved a spirited discussion on anything political. He read widely and was always ready to share his opinion on a variety of topics. He was a lifelong gardener and never stopped experimenting with fruit grafting, vegetable varieties, and the vibrant colours of flower borders. In his retirement he renewed his love for the violin and well into his nineties was still learning new songs, playing as an active member of several bands. The week before his death he performed in a concert with his fellow musicians. Most of all, Charlie will be remembered for the pleasure and enjoyment he took in his family. Visits and gatherings were a large part of his life. Our father, grandfather and great-grandfather was a great inspiration to all of us. He embraced life and its many challenges and joys. He was predeceased by his sisters Ella McGregor and Charlotte Tufnail, his brothers-in-law Owen (Tuffy) Tufnail and Arthur McGregor and his sister-in-law, Margaret Cormack. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary; his brother and life-long best friend, Bob; his children Kathy Brown (Peter), Jane Snider (Bryan), Rob Cormack, Ann Diehl (Randy) and Carol Rice (Brian); his grandchildren Jeff, Jenny, Jill, Marianne, Tanya, Kevin, Mark, Paul, Mila, Sarah, Katie, Andrew, Derek and Kristen; his great-grandchildren Justine, Evan, Isaac, Sawyer, Noah, Charlie, Kaiden and Leo and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7 at 1:00 pm at Parkview Funeral Home, 1258 Main St., Penticton, BC, V2A 5G1; 250-493-1774: www.providencefuneralhomes. Published in the Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on 11/7/2009