Charles Haven

September 4, 1941 - May 24, 2021 The Captain of our family has taken his final voyage. After an eight-month courageous battle with gastrointestinal cancer, Chuck peacefully surrendered his earthly life with family by his side. Chuck will be dearly missed by his soul mate and first mate of 30 years, Kathleen (Lemasters) Haven. Chuck was a guiding light to his children and grandchildren: Joan (Kevin) McNamara and Maureen and Lauren, Brian (Mary) Haven and Brian Michael, great grandson Teddy, and Jessica, Patricia Haven, Heather VanderMolen and Max, Morgan, and Mal, Jeffrey (Molly) Brown and Newton, Edison, and Monroe, and Alicia Haven, who preceded him in death in February to prepare for a joyful reunion. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, Chuck was the firstborn son of Kenneth and Florence (Coon) Haven. At an early age, Chuck became fascinated with cars, planes, trains, and trucks. When the family moved to Traverse City, he developed his passion for powerboating. Chuck purchased his own speed boat at the age of 12 and always owned a boat after that. Chuck got no greater joy than sitting at the helm of his boat or teaching the kids and grandkids how to drive a boat. He mentored the family and newcomers to boating on how to enjoy, but become, safe and responsible boaters. The Miss Bee Haven cruised to every port on Lake Michigan, creating a lifetime of memories with family and friends. Chuck developed a work ethic as a young child that guided him through unrivaled career success. Chuck worked for his father's Wholesale Food business starting at age 8, sweeping and cleaning trucks, loading, and eventually driving the semi trucks for deliveries. After high school, he realized his talent in business was interacting with the customers. After obtaining an Associates Degree in Business he was hired by 3M Corporation in Indianapolis. His love of the water led him back to Traverse City where he began a 25-year career with Pitney Bowes, selling mailing systems. Chuck was the Regional sales leader in the country for many consecutive years. In 1985, Chuck was recognized for not only selling equipment, but for individually selling more Equipment Maintenance Agreements than an entire branch sales force. Chuck then joined Merchant Solutions and spent the last 27 years in the Credit Card Processing industry. The last few years he joined Payroc and Azura Leasing. Chuck was a leader and mentor in the field, focusing on his personal relationship with every customer. A week prior to his death, he was still meeting the needs of his customers from his hospital bed. Chuck knew how to work hard, but he was equally devoted to family and friends. He enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, snowmobiling, golfing, cruising, traveling internationally, and collecting and building an HO train system. Chuck especially enjoyed time with family, from attending Detroit Lions games with the kids, attending soccer and football games of the grandkids, taking full family vacations, repeated trips to Disney, and recently got great joy cutting the three-acre lawn on his daughter's farm. Chuck lived his life guided by his faith. He felt blessed every day of his life. He overcame a lifetime of medical surgeries and illnesses with optimism and determination. He defied the odds and baffled doctors over and over. The children often said he truly had 9 lives. When Chuck received his cancer diagnosis, the prayers and hopes of family and friends were that he would have one final boating season. Chuck, however, was content and trusted in God for His plan. In the words of the poet Walt Whitman: "O Captain! my Captain! Our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won ... The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, it's voyage closed and done." A Celebration of Life to honor Chuck will be held on Thursday, June 24th, at Anchorage Marina, 1800 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland, MI from 4 - 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Mary's Foundation, 200 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Memo: Lacks Cancer Center IMO Charles Haven Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Haven, please visit our flower store.