Obituary of Charles P. Manchee
MANCHEE, Charles P.
Surrounded by his family, his devoted caregiver Sam Banares and his beloved labrador Becky, Charlie "C.P.� died peacefully in Aurora on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 in his 85th year. The younger brother of the late Frank, Laurie and Ralph, Charlie�s death spells the end of an era. He will be missed dearly by his wife of 58 years Jeanne "Taffy�, his children Michael (Carrie), Philip (Penny), Susan (David), Stephen and Jane (Joe), his grandchildren Neil, Ryan, Marc, Jesse, Kyle, Hailey, Stuart and Jaime, as well as his in-laws, stepfamilies and many nieces and nephews.
Charlie was a Taurus and met life head on. He embraced his family, his years in the Navy, his business and his hobbies. His father was killed in an accident months before his birth, he lost his left eye as a child, and like so many others, he lived through the hardships of the Depression. He emerged with a strength of character and strong drive to succeed, coupled with devotion and a yearning to provide for his family.
In WWII, Charlie served his country in the RCNVR in Halifax, N.S. It was there he met his wife, Taffy Tate who was serving in the RCAF(WD). They married in 1947. His expediting skills honed in the Navy and his eye for quality, along with his integrity, honesty, business acumen and a natural sales ability were the foundation of his entrepreneurial talents.
His career in women�s fashion led to his position as Sales Manager for The Davis Tannery, which provided quality leather for the shoe, handbag and garment industries. Their location in Newmarket prompted Charlie and Taff to buck the trend, leaving Toronto for a farm near Stouffville in 1955. Their beloved Spinneybeck Farm spawned multiple Spinneys, from kennels to cottages to sailboats. In 1961, Charlie founded Spinneybeck Enterprises, a company that under his leadership, and subsequently under the leadership of his son Philip, became the leading North American importer of Italian calfskin for furniture, aircraft, and other applications. While sold in 1989, Spinneybeck continues to be a leader in leather marketing worldwide.
The success of Spinneybeck afforded Charlie the wherewithal to pursue his charitable endeavors. The Manchee Foundation was initially created to further education in the arts and design fields and has since expanded to include support for health and medical institutions in Ontario. Charlie�s business life came full circle in his 75th year with the reestablishment of Manchee Leisure Wear based at Point Manchee in Bala, Muskoka. Very few Muskoka boaters leave their docks without one of his laminated maps. "Who else but Charlie would be selling fleece shirts out of the trunk of his car?�.
Charlie Manchee - adventurer, avid sailor, enthusiastic skier, fisherman, world traveler, captain, commodore, cribbage player, chairman, mentor, friend - Dad was all of these things.
Captured by his ever-present camera, Charlie has left us a lifetime of memories.
A Service of Celebration will be held at TIMOTHY EATON MEMORIAL CHURCH, 230 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto on Friday, October 14th at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Gathering of family and friends at Spinneybeck Farm Saturday, October 15th from 2-8 p.m.
Donations in Charlie's memory to the Alzheimer�s Society, The Manchee Foundation or a charitable organization of your choice would be gratefully appreciated. Condolences on-line available at www.humphreymiles.com
