CHARLES NABESS
CHARLES JOSEPH NABESS 1946 - 2014 On Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at the age of 67, with his family by his side, Charles peacefully passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer at the Riverview Health Centre. Charles was born on June 11, 1946 to Marie and Patrice Nabess in Cormorant, Manitoba, and was the second youngest in a family of 12 kids. At the age of four Charles moved to Thicket Portage, Manitoba after the passing of his father. When he was 16 he moved to The Pas where he and his brother, Don, began performing together. The two brothers moved to Winnipeg in 1963 and formed The Midnight Angels. They recorded a single, I'm Sufferin' on the Apex label in Toronto. Following the end of their Apex deal in 1968 - Don and Charles renamed the band Three Penny Opera (named after the Berthold Brecht play) and continued touring on the strength of their reputation as a live band. The group lasted in several incarnations until 1992 and played throughout North America and Europe. Charles led the house band in Yellowknife for six years before returning to Winnipeg to spend more time with his family in 2005. Charles had been married twice; his first marriage was to Doreen Bauer in 1974, and then to his second wife Kris Nabess in 1984. Charles was most proud of his five children, and how he was able to make a living doing what he really loved - playing music as a full-time musician. Charles' love of music started early in life, beginning at the age of 10 he taught himself how to play the guitar. Charles also was a songwriter, culminating in his final song that he wrote and produced, his crown jewel, "Bayline Train". Charles also taught music throughout the years, and was a mentor to many in the industry. Charles was predeceased by: his parents, Marie and Patrice Nabess; sisters Violet Jacobson, Irene Nabess, Lillian Ducharme, Madeline Nabess, Elenor Nabess, and brothers Rupert Nabess, Louis Nabess, Robert Bignell and Archer Nabess. Those left to mourn and cherish his memory are: his sons Charles Ducharme (Irma), Rob Bauer (Viola), Alan Nabess; daughters Ella Nabess, Lisa Nabess; his grandchildren Holly, Cherilea, Carlo, Marshall, Anthony, Alexander and Brynjar, sister Gladys; brothers Fred (Elsie), Donald (Donna), nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends too numerous to mention. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff at Riverview Centre for their loving care of our Guitar Hero. The Celebration of Charles' life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Drive, Winnipeg. Charles' sense of humour and passion for life was with him until the very end. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2014
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