Charles Philip Bassett

Charles died suddenly, following a brief illness, on February 22. He was 89. He was born and raised in a small village in Wales. Along with the love of his life for 70 years, Sandra, he graduated from Cardiff University. They were married in 1961, living near Manchester, England.

In 1968, Charles moved their young family to Ottawa, accepting a job with the Public Service Commission. He went on to work at the Post Office and Privy Council Office before finding his true passion and extended family at the Canadian International Development Agency. At CIDA he held various positions, including Vice-President of the Africa, Corporate Affairs, and Central and Eastern Europe branches, ultimately becoming Senior Vice-President. From 1989 to 1993 he was Canadian Ambassador to Angola and Mozambique and High Commissioner to Botswana and Zimbabwe, living in Harare. Upon leaving the public service he was appointed Canadian Executive Director to the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C., where he lived until retiring back to Ottawa.

Charles had boundless energy and was always on the go and doing things. He loved travel, classical music, telling overly elaborate jokes and stories, gardening, wine tasting and life. He was a passionate and talented home cook and made countless excellent meals over the years for his family and many friends.

He leaves behind his three children, Caroline, Christopher and Matthew, and eight grandchildren, Alexa, Jason, Justine, Joshua, Adam, Liam, Rhys and Miles.

Many thanks to his wonderful neighbors and friends who supported Charles, particularly in the last few years. There will be a private family service; a celebration of his wonderful life will follow later.