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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
CHARLES, Tom (the Tree Man) Tom passed away peacefully, at home with his caregiver and daughter, Tamara, and grandson, Mitchell, by his side, on February 3, 2023. Tom was Ojibwe Anishinaabe, Muskinozhe fish clan, born on Georgina Island, First Nation. Beloved son of Mabel Priscilla Jones (Cape Croker) and George Douglas Charles (Snake Island); and late brother to Jim Charles. Tom was predeceased by spouses, Shirley (nee Delorme) Algonquin/French of Portage du Fort, Quebec, and Elfriede (nee Marurer) of Vienna, Austria. Beloved father of Douglas (Kegedonce) Charles, Shelley Mae (Mandakwe) Charles, Jason (Tecumseh) Charles, Tamara and Jacob Charles. Predeceased by elder children, Donald and Barbara Michaud, and Beverly Asplen; sadly missed by his sons, Harvey and Raymond Michaud. Grandfather to Robert (Nawzhaywub) Lipscombe, Joshua (Bizhew) Lipscombe, Evan, Erin, Ian, Adam and Avery Charles, Erik Michaud, Sean and Robyn Asplen, Crystal Noble and Ashley Michaud, Robert and Paul Michaud, Mitchell Blakely and Zayda Charles. Great-grandfather to M'Noden, Henry (Bemassige), Eleanor, Wesley, Raylynn, Aiden, Emerson, Annabeth, Reese, Hazel, Delta, Karlee, Madison, Joy, Simon, Hazel, Hayden, Tristan, Kaden, and Isla. He was widely known as "Tom the Tree Man", and operated his own arborist business for more than sixty years, earning the respect and affection of his many customers as Charles Tree Service. He passed traditional land-based knowledge and forestry skills to others, including his son, Jason, and grandson, Robert, who was inspired to become a certified arborist and follow in Tom's footsteps. In the early '70s, Tom worked with Indigenous 'lumberjacks' in the widening of highway 69, a gateway to several First Nation communities along Georgian Bay, throughout Anishinaabe territory. In Toronto, he worked with Cadillac Fairview, Olympia & York, York and the University of Toronto, with a special love for the Wychwood Park community. Tom was also an instructor in the Arboriculture Program at Humber College. He served with the Canadian Navy during the Korean War and was a great storyteller, with a boundless and wry sense of humour, and fun with a favourite saying, "I don't know what all the fighting was about". As a fluent Ojibwe speaker, Tom shared traditional teachings and knowledge of the land with his daughter, Shelley, who has carried this bundle into the future. As a direct descendant of Chief Tecumseh on both sides of his family, Chief Kegedonce of the Chippewas of Nawash, and Mabel (Bazhadagumigokwe) Jones, Indigenous plant knowledge keeper and healer, Tom was a ready source of detailed information about the history and lands of Georgina Island and Cape Croker First Nations. Tom was a member of the original council in the early days of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, along with Pat (TiddlyBooBoo) Turner, Mohawk of Six Nations. In memory of Tom, please plant a tree in the Spring. He loved the Pine Tree of Peace and the mighty Oak, original trees that were removed in the early days of the development and expansion of Toronto. (The Toronto Star 11 Feb 2023)
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