Family keeping alive memory of child who still inspires many

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on April 13, 2023.

Charles McIntyre leans on a rock during a trip to Writing-on-Stone in 2017. The young boy's legacy continues to grow through multiple initiatives created in his memory aimed at having an impact in the community for years to come. Submitted photo

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

A local boy whose life was cut too short three years ago has inspired many here to “slow their roll” and enjoy the little things in life while his parents keep his memory alive through initiatives that give back to the community.

Charles Douglas McIntyre was born on Jul. 15, 2009 and tragically passed away on Apr. 13, 2020 after being struck by an SUV turning right onto Whoop-Up Drive near Aquitania Boulevard while crossing in the crosswalk with his brother Simon and his father Lee.

His tragic death inspired local realtor Chris DiPasquale to create the #slowyourroll campaign in 2020 shortly after Charles’ passing to raise awareness about pedestrian and child safety while playing. The campaign was recently relaunched with the help of the YMCA Lethbridge, not only to continue to raise awareness of safe driving, but also to continue honouring Charles’ memory.

Charles loved the colour green, and a green heart is always included with everything that is done in his memory. The Kids at Play signs that are part of the #slowyourrol campaign have a green heart on them, as well as some of the merchandise related to it.

In a recent interview with the Herald, Charles’ parents Heather and Lee McIntyre said Charles lived his 10 years of life fully and made a significant impact on those who surrounded him – including his family, friends, school mates, YMCA friends and members of the community who never got the privilege to meet him.

Charles is described by his mother Heather as being very caring and inclusive.

“When he was at the Y or at school, he made sure he brought in whatever kid was kind of on their own. He would bring them into his little circle to make them feel part of the group,” said Heather.

Since Charles enjoyed spending time at the YMCA so much, his parents decided to create an endowment fund in his name through the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southern Alberta to help the YMCA give back to the community for many years to come.

Lee said his son loved science, math and robotics while attending school at Coalbanks Elementary School.

“The robotics program, he was so excited when he got in because it was an after-school program for about an hour. He did it for the last two years, except the last quarter because of COVID,” said Lee.

Heather said he made a Lego robot that learned how to read colours on the floor so it could follow the colour patterns on the floor.

“After he passed, my parents and neighbours got together and donated some money that went to buying some new cabinets for the robotics program,” said Lee.

He said the cabinets displayed a plaque that reads “In loving memory of Charles Douglas McIntyre 2009-2020. Charles was passionate about design, constructing and operating robots.”

A post on the Coalbanks Elementary School Facebook page made in Sept. 2020 reads in part “we will be able to purchase a cabinet to house our robotics kits as well as additional kits in his honour. Even more students will have the opportunity to enjoy the club as much as Charles did. We would like to say thank you to the friends and family of Charles McIntyre. His legacy will live on at Coalbanks for years to come.”

Something else that Charles enjoyed was watching the Hurricanes play.

“We went to lots of Hurricanes games here. He loved having one-on-one time,” said Lee.

Both parents said Charles loved to spend time with his family. No matter what they were doing he would always appreciate their time together, from family meals and time at the YMCA, to vacations to Disneyland and Hawaii, to simply watching movies cuddled up on the couch.

Lee said Charles always wanted to help out around the house – cleaning the kitchen table, loading and unloading the dishwasher, putting his laundry away, helping him with big projects around the house that involved learning about different tools.

“He liked skating, tobogganing, we do all that kind of stuff all the time,” said Heather.

“He’d follow behind me with his little lawn mower as a kid so much when I was cutting the grass,” said Lee.

He said Charles loved to help him in any way he could.

“He was always helping with the vehicles. If I was changing the oil on the car, he was always in there helping out, learning about tools,” said Lee.

“We had a trailer and he loved working on it with Lee. I have pictures of you guys all laying down working under the sink on something, he was right in there like a dirty shirt,” said Heather.

Lee said that Charles learned so much about tools that he got to the point where he could ask him for certain tools and he would bring them to him.

“He worked with me a lot over the years. We built the white lattice on the side of the house,” said Lee.

Lee said they were able to assemble it before he passed away, but that was the last project they did together, which had Heather very nervous about Charles using a saw, as he was cutting the wood and putting the pieces together.

“I had to stay out of the garage, I couldn’t even watch him,” said Heather.

Charles was also known for his sense of humour said Lee.

“He loved to interrupt his teacher and tell a joke in class and he always had different jokes. In Grade 3 his teacher had a talk with him about appropriate times to tell a joke. I think at some point she ended up having a designated time for him to tell his joke every day,” said Lee.

He said it was probably at the beginning of the day since Charles was probably chomping at the bit every morning because he had a book of jokes that he referred to before school.

“Even his last assignments during COVID, he would start with a joke before he did his homework and sent it to the teacher,” said Heather.

Heather said after his passing, the school stepped up and an award was created in Charles’ name.

“We do a yearly award in Charles’ name to a student that supports other students and not necessarily the best grades, but who puts in the effort to achieve the best that they can. The Charles Douglas McIntyre award goes to a Grade 5 student every year,” said Heather.

She said the school’s principal always makes a point to attend events that involve Charles’ memory and one of his teachers, Mike Wever, made Charles’ urn via 3D printing.

The McIntyre family said they hope people learn from their tragic loss and continue to be vigilant while driving, making sure they watch for pedestrians.

“Be safe out there when you’re driving please. Look again for pedestrians, especially when you’re stopping at a crosswalk, because Charles would be here today if there wasn’t careless driving out there,” said Heather.

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