Henry Keith Charles

On his canoe journey...

Passed away in the early morning of January 28th after a sudden illness, surrounded by family at Vancouver General Hospital.

Elder, Storyteller, and Historian of the Musqueam First Nation, Henry was predeceased by his father Percy, grandparents Henry & Mary George (Burrard), Andrew & Christine Charles (Musqueam), and joins his brothers Clarence, Pody & Stan, and nephew Kingston. Henry is survived by his wife Holly Fairchild, mother Mary, daughter Christie, grandchildren Kimora, Allister & Sophia, sisters Eileen, Luwana, Kathleen, Charlene, brothers Frank, Nolan & Bradley, and step children Andrew (Stephanie), Dakota, and Candace. Henry is also survived by his loyal dog Echo.

Born in 1955, Henry was a lifelong resident of Vancouver, spending his early years living in a heavily wooded area within what is now the UBC Endowment Lands, first with his parents and ten siblings and later with his grandparents. As a young man Henry represented Canada, and more importantly First Nations people, while playing Rugby, Football, and Lacrosse semi-professionally, and he was very proud to be a Meraloma.

After graduating from Point Grey High School and 36 years of service as an employee of the City of Vancouver, Henry retired in 2010 and volunteered as a driver for the 2010 Olympics. Henry was one of five remaining fluent speakers of the Musqueam language and in retirement worked regularly as a Public Speaker, Storyteller, First Nations Historian, and Aboriginal Greeter welcoming people to the traditional Musqueam territories. He was also the Elder for the DUDES Club in Vancouver’s downtown eastside, a support group for men.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held Wednesday February 1st at the Musqueam Community Center, 6777 Salish Drive, Vancouver (Musqueam Reserve) at 9AM afterwards Henry will be laid to rest in the  Musqueam cemetery.