Charles "Charlie" McNairn

Charlie McNairn, a lifetime resident of the area, passed away at the Woodland Villa Nursing Home in Long Sault on April 19, 2006. He was 97.
He was the son of George and Isabella McNairn (nee Sargent). He was born in the Gallingertown United Empire Loyalist homestead of Osnabruck Township, where he grew up along with his brothers Clysol and John, and his sister Bertha.
On Nov. 27, 1930 he married Ella Presley at the Colquhoun United Church and together they raised five children. Following the death of his dad on Nov. 25, 1942 he took over the family farm where he farmed until the late 1960s. After quitting farming, he went to work at the Morrisburg Dairy for several years delivering milk around the neighboring towns and countryside. Then he and a neighbour worked at a golf course for a period of time before going to work at the Shell Service Station on Highway 401. In 1974 he and Ella moved to Morrisburg and Charlie took his final job at Hope's Service Station in Morrisburg where he remained until he retired.
Following Ella's death on Nov. 17, 1976, he remained in Morrisburg until June of 2005 when declining health forced him to move to Woodland Villa.
Charlie was an even tempered, patient, and honest man who loved to do woodworking and he gave his home-made treasures away as gifts to his family members. He was very accepting of life and what it had to offer and he enjoyed good health throughout most of his life. He had never been in the hospital until he had minor surgery when he was in his 70s, and following that surgery he continued to enjoy life spending time downtown twice daily with his "coffee buddies." He was able to keep driving a car until he was in his early 90s which was also a great achievement. He was a kind, caring person who possessed a good sense of humor. He always saw the best in people and never judged anyone. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his children Ivan (Alice) of Morrisburg, Edna (Arnold) Barkley of Morrisburg, Edith Hummel (Frank Hayes) of Prescott, and Lois Smith (Tony Sheils) of New South Wales, Australia, his daughter-in-law Alberta McNairn of Cobourg, sisters-in-law Norma Cassel of RR 2 Iroquois, and Jean Presley of Morrisburg. He will be fondly remembered by 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son Gordon, a great-granddaughter Leanna McNairn, a sister Bertha Gallinger, and brothers Clysol and John McNairn. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on April 24. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on April 25, with Rev. Isabel Black officiating, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery in Mariatown.
The pallbearers were grandsons Brian McNairn, Doug McNairn, Donnie McNairn, Allen McNairn, Jonathan McNairn, Charles Barkley, and Dan Barkley. Honorary pallbearers were Bob McNairn and Howard Smith.
Donations to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.