HomeMy WebLinkAbout1335Article copied from the Pickering News, June 20, 1950, page 1.Once again, another Pickering
home has been darkened and a community of friends shocked by the very sudden death of
Charles "Chuck" Law on Monday night.Charlie Law died while at a work that has had a
fascination for him since boyhood-driving the fire engine. Answering a call about one O'clock
Tuesday morning to Whitevale, he rushed from bed to the fire hall. Appointed fire chief just this
past winter, he took charge of the wheel of the heavy vehicle and in turning out from the hall the
two right wheels dropped into the ditch.. startled the crew..but got back on the roadway again.
But, going down the west hill near the Gordon House, John Ashton, who was riding beside him,
grabbed the wheel when the truck careened over to the left side of the roadway, clipping a pole
and tree, and brought the vehicle back on to the right side again...Chuck had collapsed. John
guided the truck over the bridge safely, before he got the ignition turned off and the emergency
brake on. Several cars with the rest of the crew could see by the wild driving that something was
wrong, and when drawing up beside the fire engine John announced "Chuck had passed out".
Dr. Cartwright and the McEachnie ambulance were called, and, we understand, the doctor
found the last fer feeble heartbeats of the dying man.Driver Bob Scott took the engine and crew
on to Whitevale, not knowing till they returned that their fire chief had passed away.Charles who
was 47 years o age, was born at Highland Creek, but came to Pickering when the family moved
here from Cherrywood, where they kept the general store there...Chas was six years old at the
time.The fire company has long been one of his 'hobbies"..sports of all kinds was another...
maintenance of equipment always being one of his chief concerns, making him perfectly suited
for the position of chief following the retirement of Frank Prouse last winter.Deceased was a
member of the United Church, an active member of the local lodge of Oddfellows, and widely
and well-liked throughout the community. He was employed on "maintenance". with Fitting Ltd.,
Oshawa.He is survived by his wife, the former Reta Hallett, one daughter, Ruth; his mother, Mrs.
Thos. Lawand one brother, Howard, of Oshawa.The funeral took place Thursday with interment
at Mt. Lawn Cemetery, Oshawa. Pallbearers were Messers Chas. Hutchings, Chas. Pilkey,
William and Robert Heron, Howard Law and Murray Miller. Flower-bearers were members of
his Lodge and the Fire Company.