Final Face Off - Charles (Chuck) Lumsden

Charles "Chuck" Lumsden passed away peacefully with his wife Berna, of 60 years, by his side, at Concordia Hospital on May 31, 2014. He is predeceased by his brother Tommy, sister Corinne, mother Katherine, and father William. Chuck is survived by his wife Berna, his three children Pat (Rick), Tom (Janis), and Lori (Tim), as well as his 10 grandchildren Brydon, Cristine, Ryan, James, Sarah, Megan, David, Julie, Jordyn, Nykola, his two great-grandchildren Kaden and Zolie, and his 12 nephews and nieces. To say Chuck the "Big Train" Lumsden was a gifted athlete would be an understatement. He played alongside his brother and Blue Bomber Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Lumsden with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1952, 1953, and 1954. Chuck was best known as a hockey player, twice inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. At age 16, he became the property of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played in a Memorial Cup final with the Winnipeg Monarchs, and made the M.J.H.L. second all-star team. Chuck left home at age 18 to play from 1951 to 1952 for the Toronto Marlboroughs. He was twice voted to the Ontario Hockey League's all-star team. He played from 1952 to 1954 for the Toronto Maple Leafs' A.H.L. affiliate Pittsburgh Hornets. He left the Leafs' organization and returned to Winnipeg to play for the Winnipeg Warriors. They won the Lester Patrick Cup and were also the Edinburgh Champions in 1956. Before joining the Winnipeg Maroons, Chuck played for the Dauphin Kings, Pine Falls Paper Kings, and the Warroad Lakers. After winning the Allan Cup in 1964, Chuck and the Maroons represented Canada overseas during the height of the Cold War, playing in Communist countries such as Russia and Czechoslovakia. Chuck played for Father David Bauer's Canadian National Hockey Team while the program was initially being developed. After a brief retirement in 1968, Chuck joined the St. Boniface Mohawks helping to take them from last place to the Allan Cup finals only to lose in seven games. He continued to remain active with tennis, cycling, skiing, and ballroom dancing with his wife Berna. Chuck loved to dance and was a member of the Westview Ballroom Dance Club for 35 years. Chuck was an employee of Northwest Airlines for 38 years, which gave him the opportunity to travel around the world with his wife and three children. He was able to fulfill his dream to take all his grandchildren to Disney World, one of their favourite memories with their grandfather. Chuck was a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation and was proud of his heritage. His family would like to thank the N1 staff at Concordia Hospital and the Palliative Care team for making his last days comfortable. A private family graveside service has been held. In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting donations be made to KidSport Manitoba.

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on June 07, 2014