Published in The Lake Report, November 5, 2026, page 26.
Passed peacefully, on Oct. 2, 2026.
Chuck was born on April 1, 1933, in Highland Park, N.J., to Wilfrid James Jackson, born in Sydney, N.S. and Mabel Elizabeth Mott, born in Buffalo, N.Y.
Like his mother and sister, Chuck attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of arts in government. While there he met his first wife, Oberlin Conservatory voice student Nancy A. Carnarius. The two married and moved to Pittsburgh, Pa. where Chuck completed his master’s in retailing at the Graduate School of Retailing at the University of Pittsburgh in 1955. Shortly after, Chuck secured a management position at John Wanamaker’s, a leading retailer in Philadelphia, and the couple moved to Bryn Mawr.
In 1956, Chuck began basic infantry training at Fort Dix, N.J. and was selected to serve as a special agent in the Counterintelligence Corps (CIC). He served three years with the CIC and was an army reservist for an additional three years.
Following his tenure with the army, Chuck returned to John Wanamaker’s Corporate Personnel Office, moving the family to Levittown, Pa. and later to Lawrenceville, N.J. His career with the Philadelphia retailer spanned more than 30 years, during which time he oversaw human resources, labour relations, and store operations, rising to the position senior vice-president of personnel. In the late 1980s he left Wanamaker’s to become a corporate human resources consultant with Right Associates in Princeton, N.J.
Chuck relocated to Toronto in late 1989, to assume the position of vice-president of corporate human resources with retailer DYLEX. In 1990 he met Sandra (Sandie) Lawrence; they married in 1997 and resided in Toronto’s Cabbagetown area. He returned to HR consulting work with Feldman Gray Associates before his final retirement in 1998. The couple moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1999, where Chuck was active in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Niagara Historical Museum and of Willowbank School of Restoration Arts. He enjoyed a robust social life, playing golf, attending Shaw Festival performances and participating in activities with ‘The Wanderers.’
Chuck was known for his love of classic cars, travels, writing on a variety of topics (including for the Toronto Sun), and for martinis — straight up with a twist, please. His greatest automotive passion was for Studebakers and for several years his garage was home to one or more antique Studebakers which he lovingly restored. He had a great enthusiasm for travel and was proud to share that he had visited 32 countries and much of the United States and Canada. Chuck was also an avid reader and particularly fond of American history. He was always happy to share his perspectives on history and debate its impact on current politics and culture.
Graced with a great intellect and quick mind, Chuck brought wit, intelligence, and compassion to all he did and will be fondly and forever remembered as a loving father, husband, grandfather, friend, and colleague.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Sandra Lawrence of Niagara-on-the-Lake, his daughters Linda J. Mitchell (William) of Longboat Key, Fla. and Laura J. Novia (Frederick) of Raleigh, N.C., his grandchildren Kevin E. Mitchell (Caitlin) of Bethesda, Md., Dr. Cara M. Elston (Christopher) of Cabin John, Md., and Gregory T. Mitchell (Margaret) of Vienna, Austria, his great-grandchildren Dominic Elston and Leo Elston, and stepdaughter Carolyn Murdoch of Montreal. Chuck was predeceased by his parents Wilfrid and Mabel Jackson, his first wife Nancy C. Jackson, and his sister Marilyn Nichols.
As per Chuck’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Niagara (www.alzheimer.ca/niagara) or the Humane Society of Greater Niagara (www.hsgn.ca). Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morseandson.com.
