Pat, I just got this email. No notice was attached, but the address list was familiar. When I Googled Charles, I found this obituary, among others
It is a blow; we were internet friends (discovering each other on SST), and I had grown quite fond of him. I will miss him.
I thought you’d like to know.
Furrukh
I shall miss him; he saved me from my internal monologue.
Posted by: Babak Makkinejad | 18 September 2015 at 01:09 PM
This is sad news. Only a day ago I was wondering if Charles would comment on our coming elections. Now I know why he was silent. RIP fellow Canuck.
Posted by: Medicine Man | 18 September 2015 at 01:14 PM
Don't ask for whom the bells toll?
I enjoyed and learned from Charles I comments.
Posted by: William R. Cumming | 18 September 2015 at 01:39 PM
One less pilgrim.
Condolences to all.
Ishmael Zechariah
Posted by: Ishmael Zechariah | 18 September 2015 at 01:52 PM
That's very sad to read. Just a couple of weeks ago, he was talking about our dear Stevie in the North.
RIP Charles
Posted by: The Beaver | 18 September 2015 at 01:57 PM
Godspeed.
Posted by: Tyler | 18 September 2015 at 02:26 PM
Rest in peace friend.
Posted by: Farooq | 18 September 2015 at 02:39 PM
RIP Charles. Your wit and thoughtfulness enriched my life. Thank you.
Posted by: Jack | 18 September 2015 at 02:55 PM
He made me think and he made me laugh. Bon Voyage, mon ami!
Posted by: BabelFish | 18 September 2015 at 02:56 PM
Condolences to his family.
Posted by: Fred | 18 September 2015 at 03:05 PM
I will miss Charles, my Lithuanian forest brother. He was always good for a little humor and insight. I imagine him paddling off in his Peterborough on a moonlit lake to join the forest spirits of our ancestors. Geros kloties.
Posted by: The Twisted Genius | 18 September 2015 at 03:36 PM
Wondered why we had not heard his
thoughts of late. My condolences to
family and friends.
Posted by: SteveG | 18 September 2015 at 04:25 PM
You will be missed, Charles. I was looking forward to your thoughts on our elections and candidates.
Posted by: no one | 18 September 2015 at 04:35 PM
Condolences and užuojautos to all those close to him.
Ilsėkis ramybėje
Posted by: Ramojus | 18 September 2015 at 05:34 PM
I am told he had an enlarged heart. Never had any symptoms, so he may not even have known. He went suddenly (on Monday) - a small blessing. For him, though for us, his friends, a wrenching shock.
In another sense, Charles was large-hearted. He enjoyed life, especially the simple pleasures of living in his summer cottage by the lake, canoeing, growing vegetables in his garden.
His heart was also in the right place. He was generous with his time and money, supporting good causes. He would have been pleased to see Stephen Harper go down next month (as I hope). I'm sure he'll get a big kick out of that, wherever he is.
Goodbye, friend!
Posted by: FB Ali | 18 September 2015 at 06:06 PM
FB Ali’s words are reflected perfectly in the photo of Charles I. Take one look at that photo and you’ll see the face of a true and lasting friend. May God be with him, his family and friends.
Posted by: Johnny Reims | 18 September 2015 at 06:31 PM
My condolences. His posts were fun and interesting.
Posted by: Matthew | 18 September 2015 at 06:41 PM
Charles overcame personal demons that have brought down many. I enjoyed his humor and insight. He had a kindness and didn't retreat from his beliefs. God bless your gentle soul.
Posted by: optimax | 18 September 2015 at 07:15 PM
Rest in Peace Charles. Was a pleasure to meet you here in SST, while you where still around.
Posted by: LeaNder | 18 September 2015 at 07:23 PM
Sad news indeed. I will miss his wit and candor. My favorite post of his was from an open thread dated February 3, 2014, where he wrote about addiction and recovery. To me, it was unforgetable. I reread it again tonight. It's still as powerful as the day he wrote it. Rest in peace, Charles.
Posted by: nick b | 18 September 2015 at 09:30 PM
Extraordinary.
Posted by: readerOfTeaLeaves | 18 September 2015 at 10:59 PM
Reading nick b's comment above, I went to the Feb 3, 2014 Open Thread and re-read Charles's long comment there. I had forgotten it. But it is, as he says, a powerful testament to his long struggle against his demons, and proof of his final victory. He was now at peace with himself, an enviable state in which to be when making the long journey that all of us must one day embark upon.
Perhaps it would be a fitting tribute to our departed friend to reproduce a comment he made in the exchange that followed his longer one:
"Thanks, FB, gratitude is what I feel. Absent faith, it's what I feel I should feel. Which is about as close to Grace as I feel I'm likely to get, never mind Wisdom, in which I defer to you, our host and the committee of correspondence in the whole. Thank you all".
Posted by: FB Ali | 18 September 2015 at 11:00 PM
nick b
I remember that post from Feb 3, 2014 well - I am certain Charles past this earthly vale 'happy , joyous & free " .
Posted by: alba etie | 18 September 2015 at 11:42 PM
nick b,
Thanks for reminding me of that remarkable description of addiction and recovery. There is a wisdom which comes from having demons and facing up to them, of which there is far too little in today's world.
I shall miss his comments. Ave atque vale.
Posted by: David Habakkuk | 19 September 2015 at 07:20 AM
All
Charles Degutis was here on SST from the beginning ten years ago. He was a loving friend filled with compassion and surprised to learn by exposure to them that the warrior committeemen here are thinking, feeling people. He was concerned for what he saw as abuse that I received, more concerned than I. He was not a religious man but I hope that he was wrong about that. There should be a reward for someone like him. pl
Posted by: turcopolier | 19 September 2015 at 08:42 AM