Obituary of Charles Hope

HOPE: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Charles "Charlie" Wilmer Hope, beloved partner, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

Charlie was born on November 14, 1935, in Carberry, Manitoba, to James and Mary Hope (Goodwin). He spent his early years on his paternal grandparents' farm, where he held a special place in his heart for his Grandma Hope. Growing up in Carberry, Charlie formed many close friendships and enjoyed various mischievous adventures.

As a young man, Charlie was passionate about sports, including wrestling and hockey. He even tried out for the Flin Flon Bombers the year they won the Memorial Cup. Ultimately, newspapers became Charlie's calling, and he worked at Carberry, Portage, Flin Flon, and finally the Brandon Sun, where he spent 41 years in the composing room until his retirement in 1996. Ever active, Charlie found additional ways to keep busy, including working as a Walmart greeter, driving an armoured truck for Secure, and delivering the Westman Journal.

In 1957, Charles and Anne Kamaransky were married on June 1 and moved to Brandon later that year to begin their lives. They lived on Douglas Street and raised two children, James, who joined them in December 1964 and Linda who came in January 1968. Charlie was very proud of both of his children. He coached Jamie’s baseball and hockey teams and brought Linda along to be their mascot. He became an officer with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets when James was a cadet. He was the range officer, instructing the cadets on rifle safety. He supported Linda in all her musical pursuits. Many years were spent camping as a family and then in 1975 a piece of property was purchased at Pelican Point Beach, Pelican Lake and the family cabin was built. Charlie enjoyed many years at the lake and met many new friends.

Charlie was very proud when his children married the “Love of their life” and was over the moon when his grandchildren were born. He shared many activities with them like fishing, hunting, and waterskiing. He had a huge presence in their lives and was one of their biggest cheerleaders at every sporting event or activity they were involved in.

In 1993, Charlie met Erna Honeyman. He gained another family and more grandchildren to be proud of and more events to cheer at. Together they enjoyed many travelling excursions and created many wonderful memories.

Charlie loved the “great outdoors”. He wrote a column for the Brandon Sun on the topic. Hunting season was his favourite, and he enjoyed many years with so many friends in the woods. He also enjoyed fishing and was able to try his hand at it in many lakes around Manitoba as well as a few other provinces and states in the USA. Charlie was a member of the Manitoba Wildlife Association, and he taught Hunter Safety for many years. Snowmobiling was also a favourite with many trips up and down the hills in Spruce Woods and Pelican Lake. His favourite trip of a lifetime was to the Mountains. In his later years, he began biking and walking in the Brandon Hills, with Erna and his best pal and companion, Sophie.

Gardening was another love. He tried his hand at growing a pumpkin for the Largest Pumpkin contest in Roland, MB. He was never the big winner, but he sure did love trying different strategies to make the next year’s pumpkin even bigger.

Sports were still a huge part of Charlie’s life. He was actively involved at Riverview Curling Club curling in the Masters and Two Stick leagues and in the summer, he enjoyed the shuffleboard league.

Charlie is dearly missed by his partner of 31 years, Erna Honeyman; his son James Hope; his grandchildren, Jordan, Zachary, and Madison of Winnipeg; his daughter Linda McRae-Walker (Ray); his grandchildren, Tyson (Lauren) and Eric McRae of Brandon; his sister Muriel Hope of Winnipeg; Erna's family, her daughter Stacey Poirier (Ken) and grandchildren, Kaiden and Ewan of Brandon, as well as other beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren from Rivers, Samantha Perrin (Justin) and their children, Tylor and Jenna; Matthew Dickenson (Desiree) and their children, Aiden, Logan, Opal, and Hazley; David Dickenson and his children, Lincoln and Vincent; and Erna’s son-in-law Doug Dickenson (Shelley).

Charlie was predeceased by his parents, sister Marjorie Goodmurphy, his children’s mother Anne Hope, son-in-law Jeff McRae, and Erna's daughter Dawn Dickenson.

A come and go tea will be held at Riverview Curling Club, 420 Maryland Ave., on Monday, February 17, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200 – 17th Street East, Brandon MB R7A 7M6.

“That man is a success – who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.”

Author Unknown