Charlie Forrest Shaw
Charlie Forrest Shaw of Blyth passed away peacefully at Seaforth Community Hospital on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. He was in his 92nd year.
Beloved husband of the late Patricia (McWhirter) Shaw, Charlie was the loving father of Brenda McDonald, and Ann and John Nesbit, all of Blyth. Charlie was the cherished grandfather of Heather and Jack Van Dorp, Michael and Michele McDonald, Cathy and Michael Strickland, Johnny and Krista Nesbit, Michelle and Jeff Nesbitt and Mark and Erin Nesbit. He was also loved by 16 great-grandchildren.
Charlie was the dear brother of Nora Stephenson of Brussels and brother-in-law of George and Bernice McWhirter, Waterloo, Elsie Olson, Edmonton, Alberta, Evelyn and George Kerr, Yorktown, Saskatchewan, and Norman George, Carlyle, Saskatchewan. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.
Charlie was predeceased by his sister Fran Bremner.
Charlie had been an active member of the Blyth Lions Club for over 55 years and was especially proud of the Charlie Shaw International Youth Camp, which he helped to establish.
Upon joining in October, 1961, Charlie immediately took on a leadership role with the Blyth Lions Club, holding the offices of third vice-president, second vice-president and first vice-president. He would then be elected to serve as the club’s president for the 1966/1967 term.
Charlie would further serve his community of District A9 as the Zone Chairman in 1971/1972 and as Deputy-District Governor in 1972/1973. In 1974, Charlie served as the district’s first-ever Youth Exchange Chairman, which led to the creation of the Charlie Shaw International Youth Camp.
Charlie and the late Gord Jenkins served as Leo Advisors for Blyth’s newly-formed Leo Club and over the years, Charlie has sponsored over 60 new members to the club.
He also served as the Guiding Lion for the formation of the Auburn and District Lions Club and has held every position within the Blyth Lions Club, with the exception of treasurer. At the time of his passing, Charlie was a club director and boasted 56 years of perfect attendance.
In 2016, Charlie received a Volunteer Service Award from the provincial government for his 55 years of community service through the Lions Club.
Charlie has been named a Helen Keller Fellow, a Melvin Jones Fellow, a Life Member of the Lions Foundation of Canada and a Life Member of Multiple District A Lions.
He has been described by his fellow Lions as a tireless volunteer who was always among the first to help with any project the club took on.
In 2001, Charlie was named the Citizen of the Year for Blyth and area by North Huron Publishing Inc.
Charlie’s friends and family were received at the Falconer Funeral Home in Blyth on Sunday, Dec. 10 and the funeral service was held at Trinity Anglican Church on Monday, Dec. 11. Spring interment will be at Blyth Union Cemetery.
The Blyth Lions Club held a special Lions service at the funeral home on Sunday evening.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Blyth Lions Club (park enhancements), Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth or to a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated.
Messages of condolences for the Shaw family may be placed online at falconerfuneralhomes.com.