Obituary of Charles Philip Burchell

Charles Philip Burchell, lll - one of Canada's most recognized booksellers, receiving both "Bookseller of the Year Award" and "Libris Award", the highest award of the Canadian Book Industry. 

He was born on October 8, 1941 to Charles W. (Brenda) Burchell, QC.  He passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026. He was predeceased by his father, Charles W. Burchell, QC, his mother, Brenda W. Burchell (nee Lohnes, of Mahone Bay) and brothers Thomas Jost Burchell, QC, and Arthur B. Burchell. He is survived by his wife, Leanne Burchell, son Charles Edward (Sonia) Burchell, plus many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Charles was born in Halifax where he received his early education at Gorsebrook Junior High School and Queen Elizabeth High School. He then attended Mount Allison University from whence he moved into retailing with Easton's of Canada department stores. For the next five years he was a trouble shooter for many departments, and helped direct the advertising and promotion for the store. It was there he met hockey star, Gordie Howe, for the first time. (He would later have him at THE BOOK ROOM to autograph his book.) In 1966, an opportunity arose to manage THE BOOK ROOM LIMITED. Charles took up the challenge with enthusiasm, eager to put his retail experience and ideas to work. Shortly after joining "The Book Room" he was elected a Director of The Canadian Booksellers Association, a position he was re-elected to for over 18 years, the longest Director ever to serve. In 1977, he was elected President of THE BOOK ROOM. He served the company for a total of 44 years. In 1982, he received the highest award presented at that time to the Canadian Bookselling Industry, "BOOKSELLER OF THE YEAR". He was the first bookseller in Atlantic Canada to be so honoured.

In 1982, he accepted an appointment to serve on the N.S. Government's Committee on Publishing. The results of the committee recommendations help shape the publishing policy in Nova Scotia. In 1997, he was asked to appear in Ottawa before Senator Michael Kerby's Banking Committee on HST-TAX-IN PRICING. The result was that of the new 15% tax was to be imposed on all goods sold in Canada (food exempted) and only books would receive a partial exemption from the new tax. It was considered, across Canada, as a great understanding by the Federal Government in regarding the importance of books in Canadians lives. He was also a founding member of The Atlantic Booksellers' Association and served as its President. Charles also presented commentaries on the book industry and small business for radio, newspaper and television. He reviewed books on the City Living program for radio station CJCH and C-100 weekly. For several years he appeared monthly to review books for CTV on their morning television show. He joined nine other bookseller's co-operatives, across Canada, task force to help develop an electronic ordering system for the Canadian industry. He also served as a founding Director of Booksellers Co-operative, an independent buying group for booksellers across Canada.

Outside the book industry he was active as chairman of the Retail Committee of the Halifax Board of Trade, a founding Director of Northwood Centre, President of the Downtown Halifax Business Association, and a founding member of Ducks Unlimited Canada when it first established a fundraising committee in N.S. He served in this for 25 years. His outside interests included fishing, hunting, gardening, water skiing, tennis and, of course, reading. Charles was very supportive of all authors, especially of Canadian writers.

In his 44 years as a bookseller he hosted authors from across Canada and around the world. From writers like John Ralston Saul, Vice-Regal Consort of Canada, Peter Newman, Pierre Burton, Robert Bateman, Hammond Innes, Diana Gabaldon, Dick Francis, Jean Chretien and John Irving. Sports heroes like Ken Dryden, Gordie Howe, and Russian goalie Valadislav Tretiak; music stars like Celine Dion, Anne Murray and Rita MacNeil. On his retirement Charles was awarded the Canadian Book Industry's highest award at the ceremony in Toronto. It was the "LIBRIS AWARD" for dedication and excellence in the book industry. He often commented that bookselling was not in his early plans, but he found it was a wonderful profession. He was grateful to have spent his working career as a bookseller. He met so many wonderful people in that time; authors, fellow book sellers, publishers, the reading public, and those people who could advance the interest in books and make them available to more people. The world was changing and so was the book industry. Books could be ordered directly by phone or computer without leaving your home and delivered directly to your door. The bookstore was less frequented by booklovers and as such, sales in retail stores suffered. Retail stores started closing and THE BOOK ROOM founded in 1838 closed in 2008. Charles then went into a retirement to enjoy much more his love of fishing, hunting, travel and reading the many books he had gathered over his lifetime of bookselling. As a boy of about eight, his grandfather, the late Charles J. Burchell, PC. QC, took the family to his fishing camp "The Lodge", at Aspen on the St. Mary's River. This started his love affair with the St. Mary's River, as he revisited it whenever possible. He and his wife Leanne moved to Aspen, Guysborough County where they built a retirement home in the woods on the St. Mary's River. Being a sportsman he loved it for its rivers, lakes, campfires and wilderness feeling. He loved to fish and enjoyed his time on the river. It was in his 2002 Miata convertible that he and Leanne enjoyed visiting parts of Canada and northern USA. They also spent many winters in Florida where they both learned to ballroom dance. It was a new and exciting pleasure for both as they enjoyed the fellowship and friends of dancing.

On his 82nd birthday, he reflected on his past life which he described as a "wonderful experience" which gave him the great opportunity to meet so many authors from all walks of life and many parts of the world. People who wrote books always want to meet their readers and Charles provided that opportunity for them by having personal autographings for them. Often the lines waiting for an opportunity to meet their special author lined up in the store, out the door and down the street. On special occasions the author would agree to a reading from their book. Fans would especially enjoy this time to hear more from the author and a chance to ask questions. It made for a wonderful evening. Charles very much enjoyed being able to bring authors and readers together.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street, Antigonish. Funeral Service will be held at 12 pm on Saturday, July 18th in Kirk United Church, Aspen. Burial to follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Glenelg.

"Without a Love for Books, The Richest Man is Poor"