Obituary of Charles Thomas Vincent

Charles Thomas Vincent, age 31, passed away at home on April 16th with his wife, Annie Orvis, by his side. He passed after a seven month battle with metastatic osteosarcoma.

Charles was born November 8, 1990 in Belleville to loving parents Thomas and Debra Vincent. He grew up in Tyendinaga alongside elder brothers Philip and Matthew Vincent. Even as a young child, Charles was mature beyond his years, determined, and confident in himself, declaring his intentions to become a lawyer at the age of ten.

He moved to Ottawa for high school where he developed life long friendships. Charles spent two years doing undergraduate studies at Carleton University before being accepted to Queen’s University Law School.

It was at Queen’s, in January of 2013, that he met the love of his life, Annie Orvis. Their chance meeting in an off-campus pub quickly became a loving and devoted relationship. From the start, they had a a true partnership and have been each others’ champions. The next years brought stints of long distance and moves between Kingston, Ottawa, and Toronto. Together they enjoyed many trips, cottage weekends, great food, laughter, and cuddles with their beloved and mischievous standard poodle, Babar. 

After several years of practicing law in Ottawa, Charles returned to Queen’s to complete a Master of Business Administration. In 2016, Charles joined Pape Salter Teillet LLP in Toronto and drew on his strong background in law and business to support Indigenous clients grow their economic opportunities. Charles took immense pride in his work and advised clients on a wide range of issues, including the development of entrepreneurial and partnership opportunities for Indigenous peoples, strengthening institutions of self-governance and negotiating agreements with corporations that propose developments on Indigenous lands. Charles worked with many Indigenous nations to achieve lasting economic deals and developments. 

Charles will be remembered for his dedication to his friends and family. He had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel comfortable and included. With a dead-pan sense of humour, he loved to convince people of impossible facts, only to have a good laugh with them. He had a love of rich foods, especially Italian and baked goods. He was always compassionate and kind hearted; sending cards, giving gifts, and welcoming people in to his home. Charles had an unparalleled moral compass and sense of duty. 

Charles is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Annie Orvis, parents Thomas and Debra Vincent, brothers Matthew (Donna) and Philip (Kelly-Anne), Aunt Suzan O’Coin, Grandmother Carolyn Vincent, parents-in-law Roger Orvis and Rena Sherring, siblings-in-law Orvis Starkweather and Alec Orvis (Laura), and a large extended family and many friends. Predeceased by Grandparents Hector Vincent and Shirley and Charles Maracle.

Visitation will be at the M.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home (78 Centre Street, Deseronto) on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Funeral will be held at All Saints Church & Queen Ann Parish Centre (1295 Ridge Road, Deseronto) at 11am on April 23rd. To live stream the funeral service please visit the Anglican Parish of Tyendinaga’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tyendinagaanglican. 

Due to the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we kindly ask that family and friends who will be attending the visitation and funeral to please wear a face mask.

In lieu of on flowers, please consider donating to the Sarcoma Medical Oncology Research Fund at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation or the Anglican Parish of Tyendinaga. Charles and Annie were deeply grateful to his care team a Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Dorothy Ley Hospice.