Obituary of Charles Knapp

CHARLES STEPHEN KNAPP November 9, 1923 - April 18, 2016 Peacefully and surrounded by family, Charles passed away at the tender age of 92. Born into a Jewish family in Hungary, during WWII he survived imprisonment in the labour camps but unfortunately his only sister and mother were not so lucky. He trained as a commercial graphic artist in Hungary and also worked in the Film and TV industry. At the onset of the Hungarian revolution of 1956, he escaped on foot with his 6 year old son John on his back and arrived safely into Austria and eventually settled in Canada. Here, he rebuilt his life, learned to speak English and became a trailblazer in the Sign business via his eponymous Charlesign. He became the President of the Sign Association of Canada in 1971. His memory lives on in many creations including the Shoppers Drug Mart logo and the numerous overhanging yellow Crosswalk signs in the GTA. Hobbies included the world of film and in 1972 he opened the independent Bijou Cinemas in Scarborough. He was an avid videographer who loved to document all his extensive travels as well as any family event. A wonderful family man who loved Eva his wife of 56 years and their children and grandchildren, he is survived by his three sons; John (Sue Markle), Charlie (Stéphane Laframboise), and Tom (Mary Frances Bolland), and his grandchildren; Charlotte, Véronique, Garvey, Leo, Marika and Greta as well as his cousins Manyus Gregor (Dusseldorf) and Gabe Knapp (Toronto). He was a sensitive, loving and modest man who was always positive, happy and non-judgemental and had the uncanny ability to make everyone around him feel very special. Special thanks to the staff at North York General Hospital who cared for him during his many visits over the years and to Dr. Kenneth Gamble, his amazing Family Physician. Also heartfelt thanks to the staff of Amica Bayview Gardens where he has lived for the past 4 years as well as Mosaic Home Care who helped care for him during the last few weeks. In accordance with his wishes, the family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016, for a public visitation. There will be a private family funeral and interment on Saturday morning. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to North York General Hospital Foundation at http://www.nyghfoundation.ca/ or by calling 416-756-6944. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.