CHARLES ANGUS IRONSIDE

Condolences & Memories (17 entries)

• I was so saddened to hear of Charlie’s passing. He was truly an incredible and selfless person. Charlie was my very first soccer coach when I was just four years old, and it was his guidance and encouragement that led to the honour of playing for South End United. Even after all these years, both Charlie and Mary never failed to smile, wave, and say hello whenever they saw me. I’ll always remember the station wagon packed with half the team heading to our games, and the orange wedges Mary lovingly prepared for us at halftime. Those memories will stay with me forever. Charlie was one of a kind, and he will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Charlie. With heartfelt condolences, Jody Hudson - Posted by: Jody Hudson (Friend) on: Jun 09, 2025

• I played soccer for a number of years with South End soccer club and was coached by Charlie Ironside. He played an important role in my teenage years and I remember him as always was brutally honest to drive my growth. He emphasized discipline and the importance of being responsible to others early in life as well as the importance of setting goals. I used many of his lessons in other areas of my life to excel and compete to achieve excellence. Thank you "Mr. Ironside" for those life invaluable lessons. My very best to David and family. Sincerely, Naumaan Hameed #4 - Posted by: Naumaan Hameed (Former Player) on: Jul 09, 2022

• We were saddened to hear of Charlie's passing. He was our son Seth's soccer coach and we enjoyed meeting him and his wife. He truly had a passion for soccer and for coaching. Condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Rhonda Morden, Kirk, Liam and Seth Warren (parent of a child Charlie coached) on: Feb 23, 2019

• We were very sad to hear about the passing of Charlie. Charlie was always a pleasure on the bench, I officiated many games that Charlie was the coach for and he was always so great with the teams and the officials. Charlie's dedication to the game was tremendous. I will miss seeing Charlie around the pitches. The Manitoba Soccer Referees' Association sends condolences to the family of Charlie Ironside. Lisa Sansregret MSRA - Posted by: LISA S (FRIEND) on: Dec 19, 2018

• I am very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Charlie. Heart felt condolences to Mary and the family. Charlie was an iconic figure in the soccer community and I was proud to be his coaching assistant with Provincial teams in the eighties and of course to receive the prestigious 'Charlie Ironside Award'. We worked together on the Winnipeg Youth Soccer board for many years and had many side-line 'discussions' regarding my decisions as the game referee during his son David's games with Earl Grey and later while he coached his granddaughters games. The only thing Charlie loved more than soccer was his family. He will be remembered by so many, rest in peace Charlie. - Posted by: Dick Derrett (Coleague & friend) on: Dec 16, 2018

• Charlie was a great family man, soccer coach, administrator, volunteer. His legacy and commitment to the soccer community is unsurpassed. His teams Ft Rouge produced some of the finest players in the Province. My brothers were coached by him in the 1970's. My parents became good friends of your family. I remember that infamous bus trip to Tom's River New Jersey for a tournament. I was proud in 2013 to nominate you for my father's award of Outstanding Volunteer with the Manitoba Soccer Association. My condolences to Mary, David, Stephen and family. Andrew Stambrook (soccer friend) - Posted by: Andrew Stambrook (soccer friend) on: Dec 14, 2018

• I have many very positives memories of my yrs as one of Charlie’s former Fort Rouge soccer players including of many victories and a number of championships as well as life lessons — notewothy for when he benched me briefly one game for being argumentative (he was right!!), and when he took me to hospital after I broke my nose in one game. A good and humble man who volunteered well My condolences to his family and I am sure that I am one of many many previously young people who will remember him fondly. - Posted by: Michael S (One of Charlie’s former soccer players) on: Dec 13, 2018

• My 2 brothers and I were all coached by Charlie. We have all kept in touch with him over the years and became friends as adults. Charlie always remained a gentleman and soccer aficionado in his coaching. Everyone always loved the guy. He was a person you always enjoyed being around and he devoted so much of his time to soccer and those he coached. We have lost a good coach, friend and beautiful person. - Posted by: Graeme Barker (Friend ) on: Dec 13, 2018

• I had the honour of serving as South End team manager for a few years while Charlie coached my son Joey. We spent many games on the sidelines together and I got some insight into Charlie the man. He cared about the boys much more than just as players. He often said he cared more about how they developed as young men than as players. He was gracious, selfless, funny and always the proper gentleman. I remember him regaling us with stories as we whiled away the hours at out of town soccer tournaments. One trip in particular stands out to Calgary for a weekend tournament and when we got there it rained all weekend and the tournament was cancelled. And added to that was the fact that we had a rather flamboyant bus driver who looked like he was about to fall asleep at any moment so Charlie took a position at the front of the bus and talked to him non stop for 14 hours so that wouldn’t happen. Many stories came out of that trip. Charlie has left the pitch. We will miss him. Rest In Peace Coach. Carol - Posted by: Carol Anania (Friend ) on: Dec 13, 2018

• Dear Mary and family. Saddened by the news of Charlie's passing. I new both of you for decades during our involvement in the soccer community, he as a coach, I as a referee. Although we were on the other side of the fence from each other, we shared mutual respect for one another. He will be sadly missed. My sincere condolences. Rest in peace Charlie. - Posted by: Frank Major (Friend in soccer) on: Dec 13, 2018

• Our son Jeff was coached by Charlie for most of his teen years. He instilled in those boys a strong work ethic, respectful behaviour and a love for the game. He had a hand in shaping the man our son is today and we thank him for his tireless efforts. Mary and family please accept our condolences - Posted by: Laurie and Don McCorrie (Soccer parents) on: Dec 12, 2018

• I have always had a very deep respect for Charlie. His dedication to youth soccer in Winnipeg was unparrelled. My deepest sympathies to Mary & family Dave H - Posted by: Dave Holder (Friend) on: Dec 12, 2018

• Charlie made an incredible impact on the growth and development of Soccer in our community and we'd like to share a little about Charlie's involvement. Charlie Ironside was one of the three founding fathers of the Winnipeg South Soccer District (before it was called WSEU). Back in the late 80s and early 90s, Charlie was the Director of Premier for WSEUand Charlie did everything for them - making sure all players had the jerseys and equipment they needed, setting up a place to practice, collecting team fees and paying league registrations. Winnipeg South End United, as a Club and a district, would not be where it is today without the dedicated work Charlie put in in the early years. After stepping down as the Director of the Premier program for South Winnipeg, as it was growing and becoming too big for one person to handle, he continued to coach Premier teams for WSEU. Charlie continued to coach in the South district at the developmental and recreational levels for many years, most recently coaching his granddaughter's team out of Waverly Heights in 2016. Charlie's passion for the game influenced many players, coaches and administrative volunteers over a span of decades. Dale Friesen, current WSEU President, recalled the privilege of coaching with him at WSEU when Charlie's granddaughter and his daughter played together in the developmental program. They are both 23 years old now so that certainly speaks to the duration and influence of Charlie's involvement in soccer. Amber Ostermann, current WSEU Vice-President recalled Charlie 'interviewing' and then accepting her for her very first coaching position (with WSEU) back when she was just 18 years old. Almost 30 years later, she is still coaching and giving back to the game at WSEU just as Charlie did. Rob Zaluski, one of the longest-serving volunteers at WSEU, recalled Charlie's passion, work ethic and desire to help others and was instrumental in pulling some of the above information together for us. Charlie's passion for the game in Winnipeg brought him to become one of the original members that helped to form the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association. In the 1990s, it was Charlie Ironside, Harry Harwood, and Dr. Fred Stambrook who formed WYSA and he would later become WYSA President from 2006-2008. In 1992, WYSA established the Charlie Ironside Dedication to the Game Award. Many outstanding individuals received this award, and, Charlie was always there to present it. In 2003, he received the MSA Victor Batzel Award of Merit Outstanding Youth Volunteer, and, in 2013 was honored with the highest volunteer award in soccer with the Dr. Fred Stambrook Award of Merit Outstanding Volunteer for all of soccer (minimum 25-year impact). It is quite easy to see that Mr. Ironside influenced and shaped Winnipeg soccer into what is today. We will miss Charlie and his positive attitude he brought to the sidelines but he has left an indelible mark on soccer which we will forever be grateful. Our condolences and sympathies go out to Charlie's family and all those who had the pleasure to learn under his tutelage. -Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association - Posted by: Carlo Bruneau (Soccer Friend) on: Dec 12, 2018

• So sorry to hear of Mr. Ironside passing . He was my neighbor across the street on Warsaw Ave in Winnipeg. He was a very nice man. Soccer strong.As a young boy, he was my neighbor with the very strong accent . Carlo Macario . (Calgary) - Posted by: Carlo Macario (Neighbour) on: Dec 12, 2018

• Shocked and saddened by the news.... Mary and Family, I offer my sincerest condolences to you all. Truly enjoyed sharing time with Charlie over the past many years around the Winnipeg Soccer community. Always a great big smile and a hug each and every time, Truly a fabulous individual and will be missed by all that have been privileged to have met him. Rest peacefully my friend. - Posted by: Rudy Hartfiel (friend) on: Dec 12, 2018

• Mary and Family, I am so sorry to hear the news of Charlie's passing. I worked with Charlie at Marwest Mgmt. from 1999 - 2006. He was a very interesting, honest and honorable gentleman. An exceptional story-teller, he always loved to share his stories about his younger years in his native Scotland and his eventual relocation to Canada. He was an amazing co-worker, and it was very clear that his greatest source of pride was his family. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Charlie. - Posted by: Jennifer Tinley (Former Co-worker at Marwest Management ) on: Dec 12, 2018

• Shocked and very saddened to hear of Charlie's passing. I knew Charlie for many years through youth soccer in which he was very passionate. My sincere condolences to Mary and family and to his many friends. May the happy memories help you through this extremely tough time. Rest peacefully Charlie. - Posted by: Willie L (friend) on: Dec 12, 2018