Chuck Davis (1935-2010)

It’s too bad Chuck couldn’t be at his memorial service this afternoon. He would have loved it. For starters there were a couple of hundred people there—a totally eclectic crowd, pretty much like the guy himself. The only thing we had in common was that Chuck had touched us all in some way.

Local legends Dal Richards and Red Robinson were there. So was former mayor Sam Sullivan and Tourism Vancouver head Rick Antonson. I sat next to a guy who looked a bit familiar. Turned out to be George Bowering. There were people like John Mackie, John Atkin and Andrew Martin who shared Chuck’s love of history. There was at least one Vancouver tour guide and another acquaintance who worked with Chuck in Germany during World War 11. Mark Dwor, chair of the Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars was there with Yosef Wosk. Norm Grohman was a perfect choice for MC. He was in tears at the end.

Michael Conway Baker composed the music for the film and dedicated “Vancouver Variations” to Chuck’s memory. According to Baker, Chuck loved the oboe.

“He was Major Matthews times one hundred,” said Alan Twigg. “The city should have given him a job.” Hopefully, along with naming a day in his honour, the city will kick in some funds to help finish his book. Local journo Allen Garr told us he’s working with Harbour Publishing and other writers who are donating their time to finish Chuck’s legacy. The massive History of Metropolitan Vancouver is scheduled to hit bookstores in the fall—in time for Vancouver’s 125^th birthday. Maybe then Chuck will really rest in peace.

See Daniel Wood’s excellent article on Chuck in the Tyee as well as  Mr. Vancouver: A blog about Chuck Davis for updates on his book.

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