Charles McKinney

Charles “TJ” McKinney

“Waa-bwaan-akwat”

 March 16, 1990 – September 27, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of our baby brother, Charles Thomas Joseph McKinney on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, in Swan Lake First Nation at the age of 33 years.

Charles leaves behind his children; Marley, Lennon, Everleigh, and baby Dan; his father Kenneth; his siblings, Rachel (Lloyd), Sharyn (Sam), Rick (Audrey), Gerri (Dan), Clayton (Sylvia), Stephen, Ursula, Connie, Sean, Jennifer, Crystal (Wallace), and Jackie (Rick); his close cousins/brothers Terry Martin, and Patrick McKinney; his first love Meghann Kieffer;  as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Charles was predeceased by his mother (Ruth) Shirley Esquash; paternal grandparents Joseph McKinney and Mary Tukundum; his maternal grandparents Charles and Mabel Esquash; his cousin Joe, brother Trevor and close friends Marlon and Lorne.

Charles was the youngest of 13 siblings. He was very friendly and made friends everywhere he went. He was kind, thoughtful, funny, and loved to make people laugh. He loved to cook and could always be found in the kitchen either cooking or teaching someone else how to cook. He was always the first to ask if anyone needed help and didn’t shy away from belting out a good song. He lived a part of his life with his sister in Alberta where he made plenty of friends that he loved so much. He enjoyed walking in the River Valley and around various parks in Edmonton. Many of his nieces and nephews think of him as “the best uncle there was”. He was a great person to many and will be greatly missed.

The family expresses their gratitude to all those who helped make Charles’ Earthly Journey a memorable one.

Wake Service will be held at the Swan Lake First Nation Cultural Centre on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 4:00pm. Funeral Service at the Swan Lake First Nation Cultural Centre on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 1:00pm., officiated by Dave Scott. Interment at the Indian Springs Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers will be Wallace Dunsford, Jonathan Esquash, Ryan McKinney, Doug Hobson, Sean D. McKinney and Rick Loyie. Honorary Pallbearers will be Patrick McKinney, Tyson Izzard, Mickey Loyie and all his nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

You gave no one a last farewell, nor ever said good-bye.

You were gone before we knew it, and only Creator knows why.

A million times we will miss you. A million times we will cry.

If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.

In our hearts you hold a place, no one else can fill.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone,

For parts of us went with you, the day Creator took you home.

We will meet again someday,

I know in a better place.

I thank Creator made you our brother,

while you were here on Earth.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

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