PASSMORE, Charles William “Chuck”

January 18, 1938 — May 17, 2025

‘A life well lived is a precious gift of hope and strength and grace’.

Chuck was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Irene; his two sons from his previous marriage, Charles “Chuck Jr.” of Nanaimo, Scott (Patti) of Kimberley; and granddaughter Kassandra of Port Alberni; along with extended family. He also leaves behind Snoopy, his beloved bestie (canine) of 18 years, a constant companion, wherever Chuck went (including golf).

Chuck (an only child) was predeceased by his parents, William “Bill” and Camilla Passmore.

Chuck left home at an early age to make his own way in the world. He began his hockey career playing junior hockey for the Estevan Bruins under Scotty Bowman and went on to play semi-pro hockey in California. In 1963, with a young family in tow, Chuck moved to Kimberley, BC, to play with the Dynamiters in the WIHL. During his time in Kimberley, he gave back to hockey through coaching rep teams and the local junior team. Chuck was a naturally gifted athlete and very competitive. There were not many sports that he did not at least try to play. Chuck skied and was an exceptional golfer. He had been a member of the Kimberley Golf Club for many years, and after he moved to Kelowna, became an associate/legacy member of the Kelowna Golf Club. His happy times were golfing with his buddies where there was always a press or two and of course money to be paid out; and having a beer with friends, while sharing fond stories of misspent youth, adventures, and achievements.  Chuck played in and won many tournaments and trophies in his lifetime, along with a few hole-in-ones.  He continued to go back annually to play in the Pucksters Golf Tournament in Kimberley, where he would reconnect with friends and acquaintances.  He had held a pilot’s licence, and did a fair amount of travelling in his younger years.

Chuck had an entrepreneurial spirit and was involved in many different endeavours; as a young man he worked as a heavy equipment operator on a pipeline in Ontario; owned a drive-in theatre in Kimberley; along with a number of other business and employment ventures. He gave back to the Kimberley community through his volunteer work with Rotary, Elks, Chamber of Commerce, and provincial politics.

Chuck moved to Kelowna in 1989, where he began working in marketing and sales, home renovations and general-contracted the construction of three homes.  Through his outgoing nature, he settled in and became established within the community.

His love of golf led him to yet another field of endeavour. He began a new semi-retirement career in golf course maintenance, first at Shannon Lake Golf, then Black Mountain Golf, and finally Michaelbrook Golf up to 2024 at age 86.

Through sports and his business & work background, Chuck met, made, and stayed friends with many people. There were few places Chuck would go or travel to where he would not meet someone he knew through these connections.

Chuck was a guy’s guy, with a soft heart.  He loved his (and our) extended family and friends and always welcomed them to our home.  He made friends easily, he liked to tease, tell stories, bad jokes, laugh, and have fun. Chuck lived life to its fullest. He had some interesting points of view, expressions, few filters, liked to debate, and had strong opinions.

Chuck was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in the fall of 2022 and was told he might have 9 months to live. Never say that to a strong-willed man. He went on to become a candidate for immunotherapy at the Kelowna Cancer Clinic and did not miss a beat for 2 years.  Unfortunately, his cancer began to metastasize in the late fall of 2024, leading to a decline in his overall health.

We are grateful for the care and kindness that he received from all the doctors and staff at the Kelowna Cancer Clinic and his family doctor, Dr. Parsons. We would like to thank the staff at the Kelowna General Hospital for the care he received throughout his admissions related to his cancer and to the staff at Hospice House who looked after him and made his last days comfortable. A special thank you to Barry and Dave, and friends who were there for him through the good and bad days of his struggle.

You are (and will be) missed, and we are so very grateful for the time we had.  “Your memory is a keepsake, with which we’ll never part, God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.” ❤

A celebration of life will be held once plans are finalized.

In lieu of flowers/floral arrangements, please consider a donation to the Kelowna Cancer Clinic or the KGH Foundation, in Chuck’s memory.  He, his wife, and family, would be most grateful.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.