Charles “Chuck” Dennis Saulnier

Chuck (Chucker) and I met when he came to Barrie Transit a number of years back. Over time we became close friends and shared a love for music. I have great memories of the music jams we attended. I was amazed at how Chuck played the “spoons” (along with everyone else). I was looking forward to getting together again for the “Music Circle” in Innisfil and the “Sunshine Ukelele” jam in Orillia. I guess we’ll just have to wait a bit before we can do it again Chuck. Save a chair for me, Bud and I’ll remember to bring the cards for “bid euchre”.

Love you man.

Skip

I’m truly saddened to hear of Chucks passing. I learned so much from him while working at PWC. He remained a friend over the years.

Deepest condolences to Venita and his family.

So sorry for your loss. Condolences to the family. Enjoyed working with Chuck at Barrie Transit. We had a lot of fun doing the Transit Rodeo.
He will be missed by many.

Our deepest sympathy to his family..His dad and mine were more like brothers than uncle and nephew.. I live in NS but if I can be in Ontario I’d like to be at the celebration of life..Alan and Dee Muise..

My condolences to you Venita and family. And many more whom loved and knew him.
Chuck was a wonderful man. A person of love, fun and joking he was always friendly. May you rest in peace guy. Love to all Auntie Rosie.

Will greatly miss our wonderful friend. Venita and Chuck welcomed us when we moved to Coldwater in 2011. We have remained close friends ever since. My husband and I realized that we had no musical abilities after Chuck so patiently tried to teach us to play the spoons. Chuck, you will be greatly missed. Venita, stay strong.

To My Dear Husband Chuck
You gave me grief and you gave me happiness. You made me laugh and you made me cry. You supported me in all my endeavors as you supported your friends. You were kind, soft spoken and loving. You were great with my children and our granddaughter. You loved them unconditionally. You had a love for life, people, music, cards, women, wine and travel. You were my best friend. I will miss you and I hope you are with my mom and your parents raising hell among the angels. May you be out of all pain now and watch over the rest of us who come behind you. I sent a message on ahead, ” part the waters” as here comes CHUCK. I love you. Your wife and friend Venita

I am so sorry in reading about the passing of Chuck, he was a great person to work with, at Barrie Transit. He
was well like and respected with all those that he delt with. He was understanding and respected by his co-workers. He was well liked by everybody he came across. He was a great human being. He made everyone laugh.
My condolences to Venita.

Dear Chuck I will miss you terribly you were a big brother to me .Venita I am sorry for your loss and your family ‘s Hope this message will help all of you at this time of loss :Those we love go out of sight. But never out of mind. They are cherished in our hearts. Of those he left behind. Loving and kind in all his ways. Up right and just to the end of his days. Sincere and true in heart and mind. Beautiful memories he left behind.

Vineyard I am sending you my condolences. I don’t know if you remember me but I was always glad to have met Chuck I’m sure he’s watching cover you and your family hugs 🫂

Sending my sincerest condolences at this difficult time. May your family have peace and comfort in the good memories you may hold close to your hearts forever.

Rest in Peace Chuck. It was a pleasure working with you at Barrie Transit. Your door was always open to chat whether it was upstairs in your office or on platform.

I am so thankful that Harper got to adventure with you this summer and she will have those memories with her for life. I have the same memories adventuring with you all over from Florida to Nova Scotia when I was a little girl and these memories will stay close to my heart.

I am pretty sure I made it through my teenage years because of you. You were the voice of reason, the one with the best advice, never passed any judgement on my choices, and always there with your wisdom and love when I needed it.

I am blessed to have had you apart of my life as a bonus parent. I hope you are drumming and playing guitar up there while smiling down on us. LOVE YOU

Our deepest sympathy Venita and Family. We have known Chuck for many years. Terry was lucky to cross paths with chuck at PW and we have all been friends ever since. Many good memories of get togethers (not always feeling well the next day!) travels to St. Martin, Bahamas and Tennesee. Many games of Wizard we played and Chuck would infuriate us with always winning with that sly, quiet smile. Chuck, may you be drumming your fingers up there in heaven with a glass of red wine!

Our deepest sympathies to Chuck’s family and friends. We met Chuck earlier this year at the Song Circle in Innisfil. Unlike most of you we were just beginning to get to know him. However, in that short time, Chuck began to show the kind and wonderful spirit you all talk of. At first, he sat very quietly playing along on his 12 string but as the weeks went on we talked about him leading the circle by choosing and singing a song. Well he did it and it was wonderful. He seemed quite pleased with himself and we were all so proud of him. That started something for him – not only did he continue to sing every week, he even wrote a song about our little song group. The last time Chuck played with us, he sang 3 songs!!! We are honoured to have met this incredible man and want him to know there will always be a place for him in our song circle.

I am so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing, I worked with him at ‘First Student’ in Orillia. As a city bus driver, run by First Student, I was first introduced to Chuck when he took over the duties of driver training and safety. I attended many safety work shops that he organized and enjoyed his professional teachings. After retiring in 2017, I attended a ‘Song Circle’ down in Alcona. Sitting across from me was a face I remembered but not the name. It was not until afterwards that I got to talk to him and re-introduced ourselves to each other. From then on, we always sat side by side playing our songs on our guitars and singing. Although Chuck was an accomplished guitar player, he was not able to sing as he put it, “I don’t have the wind in my lungs”. Max and I miss these sessions with you. Rest in peace my friend.
John French

I am deeply saddened by the passing of my Uncle Chuck. My memories are from the 60’s and 70’s. He was the kind of uncle that helped with paper dolls and got down on the floor to play. He did neat things like driving big vehicles and you never knew when he might just show up in town on one of his routes with Greyhound. I distinctly remember the rat-a-tat-tat of drums and a big friendly smile and teasing nature. My picture is from 1976 when he scaled a pine tree like a bear might, and teased that he was going to leave my boot up there. I wish we had lived closer so we could have seen a whole lot more of the fun uncle but I am also so glad that we re-connected a few years ago and I got to let him know how much he meant to me and my family. My sympathies to Venita and family, and all those missing Chuck.

R.I.P. to Our Dear Friend Chuck I will treasure the memories of the fun times and laughter we all shared over the years such great memories to have. Sympathies to my friend Venita and family.

I am sure there is a Drum Corps Reunion going on in the heavens above.

Rita xo

To my dear cousin Venita, and to Jason, Jacklyn and Harper, and to Chucks sons….
There’s a comforting thought at the close of the day — When I’m weary and lonely and sad — That sort of grips hold of this crusty old heart —
And bids it be merry and glad. — It gets in my soul, and it drives out the blues, — And finally thrills through and through. — It’s just a sweet memory that chants the refrain, — “I’m glad I touched shoulders with you”. — Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong, — Did you know there was one leaning hard. — Did you know that I listened and waited and prayed — And was cheered by your simplest word?
Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face, — For the sound of your voice ringing true, Did you know I grew stronger and better because — I had merely touched shoulders with you? — I am glad that I live; that I battle and strive — For a place that I know I must fill; — I’m thankful for sorrows I’ll meet with a grin — What fortune may send good or ill; — I may not have wealth, I may not be great — But I know I shall always be true, — For I have in my life that courage you gave, — When once I touched shoulders with you.
Venita and family: We all have but one life to live and you and us all were so lucky to have had Chuck in our lives…
With love from your cousin Lyn, Gary and family XO