In Memory of

Charles

Edwin

Tanner

Obituary for Charles Edwin Tanner

CHARLES EDWIN TANNER , 95, formerly of Green Street, Lunenburg, N.S. let go the lines and jumped the dock at Hillside Pines, Bridgewater, N.S., for the last time for his final trip to the great beyond. Smooth sailing, Charlie!

Born December 11, 1919, in Lunenburg, the only child of the late (George) Edwin Tanner and the late Gladys L. (Miller) Tanner, Blue Rocks, N.S., where he spend his childhood living with his paternal grandparents, the late Beverley and (Sophia) Laura Tanner and their fourteen children. Charles' maternal grandparents are the late Esther Adelaide and Daniel Miller.

Charles is survived by his two children, son David Charles(Joanne) Tanner, Indian Path, Lun. Co., N.S.; daughter Myrna Gladys Tanner Corkum (Antoine Romero), Lunenburg, N.S.; grandchildren Dwayne Tanner (Christa Conrad); Scott (Sandra) Tanner; Craig (Ann) Corkum; great grandchildren Quinn and Logan Corkum, Elizabeth (Kevin) Forester; Nicholas and Mason Tanner; great-great grandchildren Kelton and Broden Forester; step-brothers Douglas and Donald Tanner; uncles Nelson and Clifford Tanner; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Charles was predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Annie Doreen Tanner; grandchild Cory Tanner, step-mother Lillian Hamm Tanner; half-brother Paul Tanner; half-sisters Hope Tanner MacDougall, Joan Tanner Kaulback; step-brother David Tanner and step-sister Diane Tanner.

Charles grew up in the Golden Age of Sail, of the dory and dory fishing learning everything from the sea and seafaring men. The sea was his schoolhouse, his books of learning, trial and error his method. He began his long and admirable sea-going career at the tender age of ten years when his father took him on a three-month salt banking trip to the Grand Banks. Over the next thirty years, he honed his abilities as an experienced dory fisherman. Charles experienced the changes in technology from sailing vessels to longliners to side and stern trawlers and to scallop draggers. He survived many close calls at sea such as when a German U-Boat circled their vessel, and a collision with a freighter that sunk the vessel, and another running aground off Renews, Newfoundland. Uncannily, he knew the weather, the sea, the tides, and the fickleness of the ocean. He said many times he could smell weather coming. Charles had such stories to tell that kept you captivated for hours. These hardy sea-going dorymen have disappeared into history and Charles was an integral part of it. He was one of the good guys, gone, never to be forgotten. He fished on the original M.V. Bluenose with Capt. Angus Walters, an historical figure in our Maritime History. Charles, we believe, was the last surviving crew member of the original M.V. Bluenose. After thirty-three years of sailing the sea, Charles came ashore and spent his remaining years at the Lunenburg Foundry and Engineering rigging vessels and operating the “Fuddle Duddle”.

In November of 1994 Charles had the privilege of making documentaries with the television program “Land and Sea” entitled “Make and Break”, “The Last of the Dutchmen”, and the shipwreck off “Renews”, Newfoundland. Charles flew to Newfoundland with the camerman for the filming and met the host of “Land and Sea” and many involved with this project who remained his admirers and friends for the remainder of his life.

Charles was an invited guest at the re-launching of the refitted M.V. Bluenose where he had the pleasure of meeting the Premier of Nova Scotia and all the dignitaries. Senator Wilfred Moore took special interest in the several remaining crew members of the M.V. Bluenose and Charles so enjoyed the fellowship of the group. He was similarly excited when he was asked to be the Grand Marshall of the 2012 Lunenburg Santa Clause Parade.

During his thirty years of retirement, he took up model shipbuilding and had a passion for building “Bluenose” type models spending many enjoyable hours at his hobby. Many of his efforts will be found all over the Maritime Provinces.

The family wish to extend deepest gratitude for the warm and respectful care Charles received during his time at “The Pines”. Sincere appreciation and thanks to Dr. Weagle, the Nurse Practitioner, and all the nurses and care givers who attended Charles during his stay. Many thanks to the special lady who made his 95th Birthday Cake, he was so moved by her extraordinary and generous effort. He found a special friend in his roommate with whom he had so much in common and who looked out for him to the end. He deserves a big “Thank You”. He loved his two table mates and the cook who always treated him well. Much to his delight, Charles was voted “King of the Prom” during a celebration at “The Pines” last summer. Charles lived a charmed life, full of curiosity, laughter, family, friends, and a passion for the sea. Fair wind and good sailing, Dad. See you over the horizon!

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. 3, Lunenburg, N.S. where a “Celebration of Life” service will be held on Saturday June 13, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.

If preferred, memorial donations in Charles' name may be made to the Upper Blue Rocks Cemetery, c/o Mrs. Mona Knickle, Blue Rocks, Lun. Co., N.S., or Hillside Pines, Bridgewater, N.S. or Central United Church, Lunenburg, N.S.


Respectfully submitted by: The Family