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CHARLES CATTO Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for CHARLES CATTO
23 Entries
Miller Mark
February 11, 2015
Dear Barb,
It was only 5 minutes ago, upon calling the Foundation and asking for Charles, did I find out of his passing. I am so sorry that I was not there for Charles' celebration of life. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family . Charles certainly was a one-of-a-kind fellow and had done so much to improve lives for so many on this his earth . He was a great Canadian! I was very glad to at least have the opportunity to take him for a luncheon a couple of years ago. In a way Barbara, I thought Charles would live forever. I took that for granted. At the moment I am very sad and probably have so much more to write which I hope to and send to you. I will visit Marco in the next couple of days. Much love to you and your family Barbara. I will miss not having the thought that Charles is no longer with us. At this very moment, I am sure he is organizing to make Heaven a better place!
Ward Loveys
June 20, 2014
Dear Barbara
One memory of Charles that I recall was a delightful dinner at Vancouver's Georgia Hotel many years ago. There were six of us, you and Charles, your friend Elaine, and Barbara, Adrienne, and me. My Barbara and I offered to pick up the tab and Charles responded that he and you would make a comparable donation to Frontiers Foundation. Charles was always so focussed on his Foundation.
We will always remain so fortunate that Charles passed our way.
Love Ward & Barbara
Dianne & Robert Bennett
June 18, 2014
Dear Barb,
To you & your family we extend our deepest condolences.
I Robert only learned of Charles' death last night at the
June Meeting of Presbytery, during which The Rev David Jones gave a glowing Tribute to Charles--truly a minister who lived his faith…in deeds and in words.
Dianne & I have fond memories of both you & Charles
attending worship at the Audley United Church.
You are both truly salt of the earth folk!
I will never forget that time when Charles, standing
at the front making an announcement.... slowly moved backwards
towards the burning candles of the Advent Wreath.
From where I was sitting, he came perilously close
to being touched by the flame of God before
being stopped in time!
Memories of Charles will live on…and you are in our prayers,
that you will be well taken care of…and that your loving presence
may continue to walk amongst all peoples
God be with you. We love you!
Adrienne Loveys Tiltman
June 9, 2014
Dear Barbara and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Charlie was a bright light in Canada. Although I haven't seen him in many years, I have always remembered his ability to make people laugh. As a child he could always get me to crack a smile with Jerry the dummy. His warmth and love will be missed by our family.
All our love, Adrienne, Ian, and baby James
How you can show support
Jill Summers Honda
June 3, 2014
I was very sorry to hear about your loss. I have been out of Canada for a long time but I know my Dad was a great admirer of Mr. Catto. He was a great help to my brother. Tom was honoured to be asked to be a pallbearer. I remember him with great admiration and respect.
Alan & Suzanne
June 2, 2014
"Everyone who leaves your life opens a subtle trail of loss that still connects you with that person...Physically each person is a singular, limited object. However, considered effectively, there are myriad pathways reaching outwards and inwards from your heart. The true nature of individuality is not that of an isolated identity; it is rather this active kinship with the earth and with other humans. When distance or separation opens, this connection is not voided - rather, the departed friend is now present in a different way. He is no longer near physically, in touch, voice, or presence. But the sore longing of his absence somehow still keeps him spiritually near. Longing holds pathways open to the departed; it does not erase people...when you feel the absence of someone, you still belong with the person in some secret way. There is a subtle psychic arithmetic in the world of belonging."
John O'Donohue
Barbara, Dan and family, you are in our hearts.
Rev. Glen Eagle
May 31, 2014
Charles was a great guy to work with and just to be with. Great sense of humour and great sense of purpose. A big loss
Kathryn Parker
May 31, 2014
Some people come and go from your life. Some enter your life, leave footprints on your heart and you are never the same. Thank you cousin for leaving footprints on the hearts of all you met. Our love and sympathies to you Barbara and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Kathryn Parker and family
Mary McAlister
May 31, 2014
My heart is full of sadness and love and gratitude. Uncle Charlie was a great man, full of warmth, kindness, and intelligent passion. He will always stay with me.
Sending my love,
Georgina Bencsik
May 31, 2014
My deepest heartfelt condolences to Barbara, family, Friends and acquaintances of much loved Charles. He will be missed but memories and his spirit will live on with his fruits of wisdom and guidance he offered to Canadians and around the world.
Charles
jay carron
May 30, 2014
Hi Dan I'm so sorry for your Loss at least Charles has his name and I know he was names after a great man... to bad he never met him...J
Gordon Bobbitt
May 29, 2014
I was just ten years of age when Charles Catto cam to our village of Harrington Harbour Q.C. to be the student minister for the summer. Harrington was, and to some extent still is a remote fishing village on the lower north shore of Quebec near the border of Labrador. I can still see him in the sail/row boat provided for the minister, in which he sailed among the five inhabited islands to visit his parishioners. The adults and children alike felt comfortable with him immediately. He is still remembered with affection and respect by those of us who where there at that time. May your faith, and the comfort and support of family and friends help you during these difficult days.
Christine Geauvreau
May 27, 2014
Dear Auntie Barb, Dan, Linda, Rod, and Wanda,
We are so very sorry about the loss of our dear Uncle Charlie. He was a " one- of - kind " human being whose strong spirit and sense of humour could match no other. I will always remember his warm grin and sparkle in his eyes. I will never forget how he used to tease me when I was a young girl with his beloved "Jerry" doll. He would take delight in making me smile. Uncle Charlie was "larger than life" and it still feels surreal that he is no longer with us. He will be greatly missed by all. Love Christy and family xoxo
Betty Catto
May 24, 2014
Barbara, Linda, Dan and Wanda
SO sorry to hear of Charles's passing. I'm sending my condolences along to you. My daughter Heather who is currently residing in Ontario told me the news. I remember all the great times we had with Charles...such great memories. He was such a great man of God and had such a love for people. May God comfort you during this time. God bless you all.
Silvina Lim
May 22, 2014
Dear Wanda, Barbara and Family,
We are very sorry for your lost.
He was inspiring and dedicated to the most needed. We are so grateful to had the honor to meet him.
Love and prayers from the Lim Family.
Kooi, silvina, Sean, Ethan and Brody
Olivia Chow
May 22, 2014
I add my voice to all those who were deeply saddened by the passing of Charles Catto, and I offer my sincere condolences to Barbara and all members of your family. All Canadians share your loss.
For decades, Charles was a mentor and a colleague for my late husband, Jack Layton, and I in the quest to end homelessness, build affordable housing, and ensure that aboriginal people could live in dignity and respect. We greatly admired his commitment to building housing as a basis of community, through Operation Beaver, in Canada and overseas and all the other great work of the Frontiers Foundation. When Jack was a city councillor, Jack worked closely with Charles to champion Project Amik, to build affordable and supportive housing in Toronto.
Then, in 2007, as Leader of the NDP, Jack hosted Charles and the Frontiers Foundation for a demonstration on Parliament Hill, and made sure the message was heard by the Prime Minister and cabinet. And five years later, months after Jack's passing, I had the honour of hosting Charles and the Foundation again on Parliament Hill. I will never forget that day. Charles and a strong contingent made it to Ottawa in a blinding blizzard, Charles stood with me, tall and resolute, in a magnificent parka, oblivious to the weather, and focused, as ever on making progress on this vital issue. Charles was one of the great builders of community in our country. One of the voices for the voiceless. One who saw the worth and value of every one of us.
His life was an inspiration, and may his passing be a motivation to us all to build on his remarkable legacy – to build a better country where everyone can feel at home, and has a home to go to.
Shirley Laviolette
May 20, 2014
So many memories, too short of a space to write them all...just mention a few and I know a few will remember...the "2 o'clock jumpers", it must have been God that made the lamp shade fall from the ceiling...(volleyball rolling on floor)", Smokie the Bear must be around here somewhere...visiting the Laviolette house, standing in the front door with his banjo and playing and signing newfie songs to mom. Always a smile and kind word, quick whitted, lent a hand to all, was the gleam in Barbara's eye and hers in his. What a road of accomplishments, preserverance and committment to all. R.I.P. Mr. Catto, until we meet again.
Great memories with you as you had with your Dad
Georgia and Alan
May 18, 2014
Remembering your Dad with love to Dan and Robin
As a child,
I misunderstood
Life was black and white
As an adult,
I see with clarity
The color you gave to my life
Steel Blue:
My eyes (Your eyes)
They reflect Strength, Determination, Independence
Traits forged in you
Now residing within me
Yellow:
The color of sunshine
Thank you
You created sunshine in my life
White:
White is for Purity, Charity, Generosity
Your life was the purest of white
Red:
Red is for love
I felt your love
I want you to know that I loved you, too
Gold:
The color of Accomplishment, Success
The gold in my life
Was your greatest gift to me
I am proud to call myself your son and family.
We offer you our deepest sympathies…we are with you in spirit. Sincerely, Georgia and Alan
Edwin Kolausok
May 18, 2014
Thank you, mah'si, megweetch, quanna, merci to Charles for the outstanding community service to Canada, Indigenous people of Canada and others throughout the world that have experienced Charle's unconditional community service. Our condolences go out to Barbara and family and we will never forget the legacy of work and support provided over the past 50 years to Aboriginal and other communities through Frontiers Foundation which was envisioned and implemented by Charles, Barbara and all at FFOB. Thank you, rest in peace, your legacy is deeply appreciated.
Stephen Wolfraim
May 18, 2014
Fond memories of the great and corny Charles' fondness for the groan-inducing pun which always reflected his genuine affection and concern for those he advocated for as well as the many he worked with. His generous heart and empathetic nature guided by his resolve to help others has served as an inspiration and beacon
for so many of us always mindful of his belief that a better world for ALL is possible.
May 17, 2014
Dear Wanda,
How sad to learn of your father's passing. I had a chance to meet him a few times and he was a charming, peaceful man. Our hearts go out to you, your mom and family. May the wonderful memories you have of your dad help you during this time.
Love Lorna and Gregg Embrey
Jane and Doug Kay
May 17, 2014
Hi Barb
You know you are like the sister I never had. I will never forget leaving your wedding in my bridesmaid dress and taking off for the Union Station. There a group of us ran along side the train to see you and Charlie off to God's Lake , Manitoba where the 2 of you did so much good for all the poor up there. Charlie was as wonderful to me as you were and he was always there to help me and pray for me in my times of loss, difficulties, and my critical accident. I am so terribly sorry that I cannot be there with you and your family at this time.
Doug and I both are with you at this sad time and send our love and prayers. Also Sue and Donna
Love Jane and Doug
Jeff Doucette
May 17, 2014
Charles...thank you for who you were to the poorest of the poor and your faithful witness to those most in need. We will carry the mantle and gospel on. Your passion was incredible and inspiring. Your legacy will continue to be pushed forward by many. As former co-chair of Mission, Outreach and Advocacy for Lakeridge presbytery of the United church of Canada you never let us be idle in "First Canadian issues" (as you so beautifully called it). Rest well but poke us every so often out of our slumber and complacency. Our church family of Dunbarton-Fairport walks with you as a family during this time lifting you in hope.
Rev. Jeff Doucette
Dunbarton-Fairport United
Pickering, ON
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