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Charles Meredith Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Meredith
Donald G. Peter
April 5, 2023
Charlie , a Man with a Big! Big! Heart!
Elizabeth and I frequently reminisce about You.
You left us too soon. But while you were here
you gave us joy, some direction and instruction and your labor which enhanced all of us.
We miss you ! We maintain the refrain " Where's Charlie?" But we know You are always there and Here ! Thank You again for being an important part of us.
Love You! Don Peter
Don Hutcheson
November 24, 2021
Charlie's Father, also called Charlie, was a great friend and fishing buddy of my Dad, Bill Hutcheson. Charlie senior owned a service station in Belmont, on Auckland's North Shore.
On my first day of kindergarten, probably 1953, (I would have been about 4), I couldn't understand why my Mum had left me in this strange place, so I climbed out the window and crossed Lake road to Charlie senior's service station. He picked me up, dried my eyes and called My mum to come and get me. I always loved him for that gentleness.
In the mid to late 1950s, my dad sold his 1926 Plymouth to young Charlie (the one remembered here) and I remember he and his mates turned up to collect it in another old bomb with a portable record player! I had never seen such a miracle! Shortly after, Charlie senior made the trip to start a new life in America, and was featured in a full page ad in Saturday Evening Post as one of the few, if not first, Samoans to own (?) his own service station.
Mum and I visited San Fran in 1985 and she desperately wanted to see him but apparently he had died only recently before. She was heart-broken.
So although I only met young Charlie briefly as a teen-ager picking up my Dad's car, if he was anything like his father, he must have been a great person. My sincere condolences.
ray gilbert
April 3, 2008
hi my name is ray gilbert,we are a family of 4 boys & 2 girls, (The Gilberts. We all went to school with your dad, ST,LEOS convent, & then later to St Pauls college. Charlie often sat at our dinner table as we did at his. Charlie was very kind to the girls also to our mom & dad, he treated them with great respect, as we did with his family. Trevor my younger brother, me & charlie, all played in the same teams together through our school days, you are right he wasnt big in stature but he had a BIG HEART His brother sonny also was a good footballer, charlie also played rugby league with us for the north shore club i can remember my dad, & his, would always be on the side line barracking us on (those were great years) Charlie would always visit us when he came to Australia. (on our house boat) i used to bet him $5 that i could catch a fish, he would always have to pay up
haaaaaaaaaa. How life pasts us by so quick. belive me i could go on for ever telling u about your DAD.He was a great fellar. Our deepest sympathy to the family of our late friend (KIWI CHARLEY MEREDITH)
Jack F. Caler
April 1, 2008
I met Kiwi in 1973,at Putnam.I learned quite a lot from him.He was a great friend and teacher.He also introduced me to Rugby and eating fish.
One time Kiwi asked me,if I wanted to go to Lake Berryesa? Sure,How long will it take I asked? He said about two cases of Beer,he said.
You could not ask for a better Friend or Mentor than Kiwi was.
Kiwi we Love you and will miss you.God Bless You and Watch over your Family.
Bob Bullock
March 25, 2008
Charlie was my inspiration to travel to New
Zealand, a truly magical place.I became an
All Blacks supporter and was sad when the "Kiwi's" lost the Americas Cup. I will always
remember Charlie's sense of humor and as
a friend who turned me on to "orange roughy" (fish from N.Z.) He will be missed.
Richard & Christine Jones
March 24, 2008
Richard Jones from NZ wrote and requested that these words be read at Charlie's funeral reception:
Tony..my message for Charlie’s sendoff...
I first met Charlie in 1971 after a rugby game played in Palo Alto against San Francisco rugby Club. After the match we were invited back to the Meredith's house on Midvale where I met Diane and Charlie’s family and Ginger. Over the years as I watched the children grow up, I spent many hours with Charlie doing what he loved, playing rugby and fishing off the old San Mateo Bridge.
I travelled with Charlie on rugby trips to Vancouver, Park City, Utah, England, Wales and to New Zealand. Of course I lost count on number of games in and around Northern Calif. and the Polo Fields. The trip to New Zealand with his "rugby boots" was special to Charlie as he relocated many of his friends from his school days including his cousin the great B.G.Williams, long time All Black winger and imagine his pride when we were invited to a scrimmage against the then current All Black team, at the Takapuna Rugby Club down the road from Charlie’s childhood home.
Charlie had many friends whom I was privileged to met over the years including Robyn and Brian Lincez, John Edwards, John Fordham, Bob Gray, Jack Brillant, living now in Australia, Colin Carr, Grant Owen, Frank Kerr, Tiny Hill, from New Zealand to name just a few who would have liked to have been in San Mateo today to say "see you later, Charlie" and raise a glass at the after match.
I don't mean to give the impression that Charlie was just born to play rugby..far from it. Charlie was a caring and thoughtful human being, with a great but somewhat sly sense of humour. Above all a loyal friend and a first grade family man who with immense pride watched Tony, Michael, Danny and Kristie grow up to be wonderful and successful members of the adult community.
Charlie I know the troops at the California Bar and Grill and all the aforementioned join me and my family in saying...Charlie it was bloody good to have known you...you will be missed....your friend... richard jones.
Tony Meredith
March 23, 2008
Horace Morell, a childhood friend of my father from NZ, asked that this be read at his funeral (which it was):
From Horace and Lynne Morrell, to be read please.
Charlie Meredith,
A great mate and a friend of the family. You'll be missed my friend.
Charlie made the trip to NZ once every 12 to 18 months. Our home was his home. We would get the call from Charlie, " Mummy, I'm on my way over. Has grumpy got room at Hotel Morrell.
And within days another eventful Holiday would be had by Charlie.
There was never a shortage of laughs, beers and good friends at our home when Charlie was here. His diet would go out the window. Mostly a liquid diet along with his 1 or 2 pies each day.
A testament to the man is the amount of friends he had. We were lucky enough to be introduced to some wonderful friends of Charlie's. To many to name them all but a few that come to mind, Don, John, Ross, Sean and Lena.
There were many great memories that we have of the trips. Takapuna Grammer School reunion, the time he ended up going marlin fishing with Danny up north, News Years Eve in Rotorua, again with Danny in tow, the surprise visit for my birthday where a crew turned up by bus at home here.
Charlie, the Man, the memories. They will be with us all forever.
Distance never dampened our friendship. And you will be in our thoughts always.
From the Morrell's here in New Zealand our thoughts and prayers go out to Charlie's family and friends. We have all lost someone special.
Love to all,
Horace Morrell and the family. Lynne, Grant, Brett,
Nicola and Mark and 8 grandchildren
Tom Corso
March 22, 2008
I first met charlie when I started working at putnam in 1975 and we would share break time and lunch times together,which of course led to after work to hoist "just one" beer perhaps a game of pool somewhere and all I can say is what a wonderfull freindship that has carried on through the years,it did not matter if at some points we did not see each other for awhile when ever we did meet up the smiles and laughs flowed Thanks my brother for taking me to rugby games in the city,fishing over by the bay,fixing my cars,helping me move (you really know who your friends then) going to Mikes CSM games,the crab feeds together and enjoying corned beef and cabbage and allthough we both loved seafood you could never get me to care for those sea urchins!
Your Love for family and friends and sharing time together with people were what mattered to you and I`m thankfull to have been blessed with your friendship
Karen Tabrett
March 19, 2008
I got to know Charlie when he first became ill. Kristi visited him every week and I'd be her back-up in case she got held up in traffic and didn't make it back in time to pick up the children from school. Kristi and I have jogged together for years, since our youngest were in pre-school together. On our regular jogs we would find ourselves talking about Charlie's progress. Charlie and I had similar culinary tastes, so when Kristi was concerned that her dad's weight had plummeted, I made him some sherry trifles to "fatten him up" again. Charlie was kind enough to send me a thank you card. I smiled when I read at the bottom, "Do you know how to make meat pies?" I found myself making meat pies for a man I had only met through Kristi's stories: proof of what a charasmatic man Charlie was.
Charlie: I wish I'd had the pleasure of knowing you better - especially if you were anything like your charming brother, Sonny!
Kristi's friend, Karen
Tony Meredith
March 16, 2008
Here is the eulogy that my sister Kristi Haskins gave at my father's funeral on March 14, 2008:
MEMORIAL FOR CHARLES E. “KIWI” MEREDITH, JR.
(March 14, 2008)
Eulogy given by Kristi Haskins (nee Meredith) (Charlie’s Daughter)
On July 23, 1941, in Devonport New Zealand, a baby boy was born to Charles and Marie Meredith. My dad, Charles Edmund Meredith was the youngest sibling to his brother Sonny and his sister Rose.
He was a happy child that rarely cried, with beautiful brown curls that his mother just couldn’t bring herself to cut. He had great respect for his parents and loved his homeland. He often told me stories about his child hood. He had many fond memories of going to the beach with his parents, brother and sister, digging up clams and filling garbage cans full. His dad would cook them right there on the beach and they’d have a feast!
He attended a strict Catholic school, where he was often paddled, but that was okay. He knew what was waiting for him once the school day was done. He’d head immediately to the beach where he’d meet up with Horace and Johnny and the guys and swim and fish until dark. He began playing rugby when he was just a little guy. His teams often made it to the finals and he was always the captain. He was small, for Samoan standards, but he was mighty!
My dad loved his island. New Zealand was his true home, but in the late 1950’s his family moved to America.
It was here that he met the one true love of his life - my mom. He was 16 and she was 15. He was the cool, tough guy, with the Kiwi accent who swept the shy Russian, Italian girl off her feet. Two years later, they married.
My dad introduced my mother to a whole new world of music, parties, rugby and Polynesia. Together they had the four of us kids. Three boys and one girl.
Life as a Meredith kid was good. There was always a full house of people celebrating something or other, whether it was a birthday or the latest victory of the SF Rugby Club for which he played. We spent many weekends at the rugby field where I’d watch my dad battle against men twice his size, baffling them with his speed and power.
When we weren’t at the rugby field, we were fishing. He’d find a rock with the sun shining on it; take a seat and sit motionless, staring at that pole for hours. Sometimes my mom would pack a cooler and sleeping bags and we’d spend the night fishing underneath the SM Bridge.
As my brothers grew older and had their own social lives, I often got to go fishing with him all alone in Burlingame near the old drive-in movie theatres. We’d sit for hours, not saying a word, staring intently at our poles. Usually James or Little Joe would stop by and visit for awhile. We’d BBQ hot dogs and stay until dark. Then we’d read the lips of the actors on the screen we could see at the drive in movie.
He loved to go to HMB and fish on the breakwater. While we were fairly young my dad started taking us out on the charter boats. It didn’t matter to him that I was a girl. He taught me, just like he taught the boys. He and my brothers would pull some things out of the ocean I’d never seen before. Not only that, they would take it home and eat it!!
Something else my dad loved was cruising around in the car. He loved a Sunday drive. I’d sit in the middle of the front seat, as close as I could get to him - Holding hands, windows down, singing along to the radio. We’d always visit someone. The Webb’s, the Ealson’s, or the Peter’s.
Back when people used to cruise, he used to love to take my brother Danny and I up and down El Camino so we could check out all the cool cars. Who cared if we were in a station wagon. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we could get my brother Tony’s ‘56 Chevy truck. He loved that.
When we were kids my dad helped coach all of our teams at ND. All our friends loved “Mr. Charlie” and they’ve never forgotten the impact he made on their lives. Many of them are here today.
When my dad wasn’t cruising, fishing, playing rugby or hanging out with us kids, he actually worked. He was a mechanic at Putnam Buick for years. He worked with some really great guys and I loved to go there.
One time my 4th grade class had a field trip to S.F. where we took a train from Belmont to the City (San Francisco.) Putnam Buick is right next to the railroad tracks. My dad told me to wave to him as I went by. Do you know that when that train passed his work, there must have been ten (10) guys out there with signs made out of cardboard that read, “Hi Kristi” Go Notre Dame”. My dad’s sign read, “I love you.”
Sometimes after school on Friday, I would go to the shop and wait for him to get off work. Then we’d go over to Jigg’s and meet Ken , Al and Mike Dees where they’d drink beer and talk for hours. I don’t know why I thought this was fun, but I did. Kind of like I was in their boys club. I was used to that anyway, being the only girl.
When he was laid off from Putnam, my dad started working at United Airlines. This turned out to be such a blessing for him. He’d never had the means to be able to visit his home country, but with United’s awesome benefits, now he could. He went to Australia , New Zealand and Fiji many times. That meant so much to him to be able to see his old childhood friends and family. My dad made some great friends at United and he always spoke about them fondly.
When my dad got too old to play rugby, he became involved with the Burlingame High School Rugby Club. My dad was always at the field with Don Peters doing what he could to help. He was their biggest fan and constant fundraiser. I think every single patron at the Bar and Grill owned a Burlingame rugby club t-shirt. He traveled with them to Washington when they made the playoffs. Those boys were our brothers. My father loved them like his own, and I know some of them feel the same way.
As we grew older, my parents grew apart. They split up after sixteen (16) years of marriage. This didn’t mean he and my mom still didn’t hang out together. They gave the four of us kids this beautiful gift of staying friends. My mom welcomed him into her home at every holiday dinner or birthday celebration.
The last couple of years caring for dad was a family effort, and my mother was there every step of the way, doing her share to help him. We, and our children have benefitted from their lifelong commitment to loving us, and their grandchildren, together.
My dad was so proud of his children . He gave us many gifts that enriched our lives: Love of fishing , sports, Polynesian culture, guts, and strength.
His oldest, Tony, exceeded all my father’s expectations. He had an enormous amount of respect for him and all his academic accomplishments. He couldn’t believe that HE was the father of this incredibly intelligent man and never missed out on the chance to brag about him.
My brother Mike gave him such a joy in life. He inherited his freakishly strong hands and phenomenally quick legs. Nothing made him happier than watching him tuck that football under his arm and sail down the field, just as he used to.
My brother Danny inherited my father’s huge heart. Danny was always his rock and my father was fiercely protective of him. They spent the last 20 years living side by side. Their bond surpassed that of father and son. On Saturday March 8th, my brother lost his best friend.
As for me, all I had to do to impress my father was to simply, be born. I was his baby girl and he never let me forget it.
I’m grateful that I had this last year and a half to take care of my father. Just he and I, like the old days. Only now, I was the driver. Holding hands, windows down, singing along to the radio.
I know the hurt will never stop and he will never be forgotten. We can all live peacefully knowing he’s no longer sick. His body is healthy and he’s running down that field once again.
Fred Stanfield
March 13, 2008
A beautiful man. I worked with him and the experience was life lasting. Thanks for the memories.
John Georgette Whitbred
March 13, 2008
Charlie, Thank you for all the Great memories , Fishing in the ocean or watching Super bowl at Al s House ,You were always a Warm Friendly Hug and Smile to Myself and my Family, Your sincere Kindness and Love will always be in our Hearts .I will always think of you as I watch My Daughter Erin running down the Rugby field for St Marys Thank You Charlie Forever All Blacks
Candace Foley
March 13, 2008
Charlie, you were one of the good guys. You were a good friend to my Dad. I remember when you said you wanted to take Dad to New Zealand for some of the best fishing, and I asked if I could go, too. We never made that trip, though... You will be missed. I will remember you.
My sincere condolences to Charlie's family.
Candace Bullock Foley
Christine Meredith
March 13, 2008
Charlie, A much loved Brother and Uncle who will be missed but never forgotten by his family in the "Land of the Long White Cloud"
A Blessing
Kia hora te marino,
Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana,
Kia tere te karohirohi.
May the seas be calm,
May the shimmer of summer
Glisten like the greenstone,
Dance across thy pathway.
Ma Io koutou e manaaki, e tiaki, i nga wa katoa.
May your God bless you and protect you for all time.
Sonny, Val, David, Christine, Tracy & Steven
Helmut & Lorraine Peter
March 13, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Dody Bormann
March 13, 2008
Mr Charlie,a beautiful loving father and grandfather, you gave me years of a very special friendship. I will be looking for the beautiful beach with a handsome fisherman holding a cold beer in his hands - Love you Baby, see you soon.
Michael O'Loughlin
March 13, 2008
Charlie we all miss you and we will never forget the great times we all have had.The road trips, practices,games and yes the social's at Ca Bar and Grill.You lived a great life and we enjoyed sharing it with you. It is a great pleasure to be your friend.Please look out for all of us and we will pray for your happy return. God Bless you and your Family Love Ya Bra MIchael O'Loughlin Sr.
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