Charles Dana Boatman

Suddenly, in his 71st year, on Friday, June 7 in his car, in the driveway en route to yet another transfusion to battle complications from diabetes and what had become a faulty heart.  He was predeceased by his parents, Charlie and Jeane and older brother Mike.  Survived by his sisters Kathy, Pickering and Mary, Ottawa and his niece, Suzanne McKay Wilson (Jeremy), of Milton and his nephew, Jeff McKay of Scottsdale, Arizona, to whom he was their most loved and cherished Uncle Dan and who loved them from the moment they came into his life.  Sadly, second generation niece and nephew Kaleb and Callie Wilson have only experienced a small taste of what Uncle Dan could bring to their lives. He had a long career with Gulf/Petro Can and continued with them for a number of years  after moving back to Cobourg in 1989 to the family home.  Dan was a quirky guy - knew a little about a lot of things and was only too happy to impart that wisdom to others, especially in his areas of expertise - marriage and child rearing. He never  forgot a birthday or anniversary, hated highway driving,  loved animals, hated Bell with a passion, and people who didn't back into a parking space.  He was meticulous about time and didn't know why anyone wouldn't arrive at least 30 minutes before and appointment or in his case at 10:30 a.m. for Christmas dinner at 6!  We will sorely miss him at those holiday dinners, especially Christmas where we never knew what to expect as we unwrapped his gifts - always very thoughtful but often intermingled with the most bizarre, ranging from a shrunken head to a wooden chicken serving tray to rubber snakes hidden in everyone's gifts, but the look on his face as he watched the reactions - priceless.  Sister Mary took hours to open the duct -tape-encased gifts arriving at her door. Clearly he had a great sense of humour that became a little less obvious in the past few years, as his health declined.  He became all too familiar with the Ambulatory Care Department of Northumberland Hills Hospital where he received his top ups of blood and iron. Many thanks to the nurses and technicians who,  good naturedly,  put up with his somewhat good-natured grumbling - he knew you were his hospital family and the 'related' family is grateful - he thought the world of you.  Many thanks also, to his long-time friend Bill Stover for his unwavering help and friendship for so many years. A celebration of his life will take place Friday, July 5 at MacCoubrey Funeral Home, 30 King Street E., Cobourg from 1-4:30 p.m.  with remarks at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Ambulatory Care Clinic at Northumberland Hills Hospital.  Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com.