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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
EBEL, Charles Murray (Charlie) - Age 83 of Parklands, Dartmouth, passed away in Dartmouth General Hospital on February 25, 2021 with his wife by his side. Born in Listowel, Ont., on March 19, 1937, he was the son of William and Barbara (Tindall) Ebel. At 14 years of age Charlie left school and worked alongside his father at the Andrew Malcolm Furniture Factory in Listowel, Ont. At 19 he joined and proudly served in the Royal Canadian Navy, aboard the HMCS IROQUOIS and HAIDA. During this time, he met and married Barbara Christie MacDonald and the two shared life for another 60 years. Charlie worked throughout Southern Ontario from 1962 thru 1979 in St. John Ambulance Service, and as Assistant Manager in Laundry and Housekeeping Services in Listowel, Wingham, Kitchener-Waterloo and Oshawa General Hospitals. In 1979, Charlie relocated to Upper Nine Mile River, N.S., with his family, where he lived for over 30 years. Charlie was the Regional Manager of Versa Services for Atlantic Canada, and he finished his career as General Manager of the Nova Scotia Central Laundry in Dartmouth, from which he retired in 1995. While preparing for retirement Charlie studied Locksmithing and TV maintenance and repair and in retirement he became a small business owner as a Locksmith, opening Char-Bar Lock and Key out of his home. In 2003 Charlie lost his eyesight, due to Macular Degeneration but he continued opening and installing locks throughout East Hants and the Truro area for another decade before closing shop and moving closer to his daughter in Halifax. Charlie was a hard nut with a soft, tender inside, inspiring his daughters to pursue further education and overcome life's obstacles. Although he often spoke of his own lack of education, Charlie continually modelled an attitude for lifelong learning and a drive to take on new challenges. Charlie was a lifelong member of the Royal Canadian Legion (50 years), for the last 30 years as a member of the Enfield, RCL Branch 133. He was a member of the Enfield and District Lions Club for over 30 years and through this time supported many community activities and fundraising events. Charlie was an avid gardener and spent many spring and summers growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers. He and Barbara proudly grew the flowers for one of their daughter's wedding and he very much enjoyed watching grandchildren Isaac, Anna, and Clara playing in these gardens and the big Oak tree as they grew. Charlie volunteered with the CNIB, after losing his vision, by supporting others who were coming to terms with the loss of their vision. He was known for his quick wit and endless sense of humour throughout his life, especially as he faced several health challenges over the years and in his last days in hospital. He was an avid card player and with his wife Barbara spent many hours with friends and family playing many hands of Bid-Whisk, Euchre, Lost Heir, and Canasta. With Barbara he spent many Christmas vacations in Kelowna, teaching his grandchildren how to play cards and in return was challenged to many Wii games; it was great fun, and many cherished memories were made! He also travelled with Barbara several times to Bedfordshire England, including one time with the entire family for another daughter's wedding and on another occasion to witness and be present for the adoption of a new granddaughter, who he dearly loved; he later returned to welcome his third grandson, who he was so proud of. Charlie is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara (MacDonald) Ebel, Dartmouth; daughters, Bonnie Pontalti (Trent), Kelowna, B.C.; Brenda Sackett (John), Bedford, England: and Bernice Pancura (Norman), Halifax. He is survived by two brothers, Russel (Winnie), Innisfail; and David (Cheryl), Woodstock; as well as three sisters, Wilma McLaughlin, Listowel; Barbara Ann Smillie, Listowel; and Phyllis Moore (Bill), London; his grandchildren, Adrianna, Ruth, and Joel, Kelowna; Issac, Anna and Clara, Halifax; Abiah and Luke, Bedford, England; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and father; brothers-in-law, Wayne McLaughlin and Gordon McDonald; sister-in-law, Mary Langley; and nephews, Bill McLaughlin and David MacDonald. Sincere thanks to Charlie's Family GP, Dr. Alethea Lacas, the nurses, and housekeeping staff of the 3rd Floor of Dartmouth General Hospital and hospitalist, Dr. Vantol, who were all so supportive of Charlie and his family in his final days. Special acknowledgement and thanks go to Norm and the Pancura grandchildren, for your years of care, support, and love in supporting grandpa and your mom! Both the Pontalti and Sackett families saw and are greatly appreciative to you all. A memorial Celebration of Life will be held on March 19th at 1 p.m. A private family burial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Charlie to the Enfield Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133 or to the Enfield, Elmsdale and District Lions Club - 162 Old Enfield Rd., Enfield, NS B2T 1G9. (Halifax Chronicle-Herald 04 Mar 2021)
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