Obituary of Chuck Astrope

Chuck Astrope, longtime resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia passed away peacefully with family by his side on March 5, 2019 at 85 years of age. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 2pm at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel in Dawson Creek. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Chuck may be made by donation to the Dawson Creek Minor Hockey Association, Box 1032, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4H9. Eulogy Firstly, we would like to thank everyone of you for coming to support mom and the rest of us as we remember and bring tribute to our Dad. Charles Belton Astrope was born to Charles and Ethel Astrope on April 15, 1933 on the family farm near White Fox, Saskatchewan. Dad was the 4th of 7 children. Glen, Violet, Leita, Dad and his twin brother Cecil, Audrey and Harvey. Growing up on the farm in rural Saskatchewan, Dad learned how to work hard. He was expected to bring in the wood to keep the house warm, make sure the water did not freeze, care for and feed the 250 pigs they had. He told stories of a sow having milk fever and what he did to make sure the sow would let the piglets suckle. Chuck was known for helping neighbours out whether it was plowing them out in the winter or helping to bring in the crops and was often rewarded with a good hearty meal for his labours. Dad had the responsibility of looking after the family farm when his parents left for Victoria in the harsh Saskatchewan winters. Dad had a love of animals and shared stories about rescuing a bear cub that had fallen out of a tree, knocked unconscious and abandoned by its mother. He fed it and cared for it until it was time to release it back into the wild. He had a horse growing up that he rode to school, he had dogs - Prince, Scooter and Merdock. He loved nature and loved to hunt. We always ate whatever Dad shot and would wake up in the morning only to find a moose in our bathtub. We practically were raised on wild meat. He would take his truck and camper out into the bush in his later years and came home excited about being so close to an elk that he saw its eyes blink and steamy breath. He loved being out doors and especially enjoyed the mountains. Dad loved music and played the piano by ear and never read a note. When he was happy he would always sing a diddy and would sometimes do a jig. His favorite was country music. Chuck played fastball and man could Dad run. He and his buddy Buster Scott were known for stealing bases and could round the bases before you could blink your eyes. He married Josephine Loroff and they would have been together 60 years this November 25th. She is and was the best thing that ever happened to my dad. She knew how to scrimp and save to make ends meet when times were tough. She is a great cook and made the best bread around. As the story was told, Dad and a buddy were walking in downtown Dawson Creek when he saw a very attractive young lady walking on the other side of the street. Dad saw mom, pointed at her and said - "That's the girl I am going to marry." Dad worked whatever jobs came available to bring home a paycheck and no job was beneath him. He was a garbage man, a labourer and worked for the 115 Union doing various construction jobs. He ran cats, backhoes, graders and buggies. He worked on many of the roads we drive on today. Every time I drove with dad to Fort St. John he would tell me how they should have built the road and why it had to be fixed and what grade it should have been. He worked for Bobby Keen, Keen Industries and talked about how much he loved working up north in Dease Lake, Takla Post, for the Dease Lake extension. Because he worked away a lot our family holidays were going to where he worked. We have memories of garter snakes, moss forts, fishing hooks and mom's great meals. Dad loved it when we could come. He would throw a baseball with us after work or roast wieners over the camp fire. Dad was a tough guy for his size. He wasn't afraid to fight if he felt he was in the right and someone was throwing their weight around. He was known for taking on the toughest and biggest customers around and coming out on top. Dad wasn't one to mince words. He said what he thought whether you liked it or not. He would defend his family so you had better look out if you crossed him. He loved watching his grandkids ski and play hockey and both mom and dad would not miss a game if they could help it. We saw a gentle side of dad when he spent time with his great grandchildren. Mom and Dad lived in the same home that they purchased in 1966 here in Dawson Creek. On January 25th of this year they moved to McLennan when health issues made the decision for them. Dad was really enjoying being there and happier than I had seen him in a while. He and mom were just getting to know everyone when he lost his balance and fell. He had an internal brain bleed and passed away peacefully in the McLennan hospital with his faithful wife holding his hand and his children talking with him by phone and by his side. Dad you were your own man, you did things your way, and you loved us with all your heart. Mom, you brought the best out of him. Until we see you again. Love Mom, Cheryl, Billy, Yvette and David. Service 2:00 pm Saturday, March 9, 2019 Bergeron Chapel 10200-17th Street DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G 4C2