Obituary of Chuck Wranich

Chuck Wranich passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family at Four Counties Health Services, Newbury on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the age of 93.  

Born in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood in 1930, he was the second son of Stephen and Agnes Wranich. His parents followed other Croatian immigrants, moving from the city to Euphemia Township, where they first rented and then purchased a farm.  His education began just down the dirt road from home in a one room schoolhouse.  When he was 14, he moved to Chatham and worked at restaurants during the day to pay his room and board while he went to night school at Chatham Vocational School to become a machinist.  On the weekends, he took the train to Bothwell and rode his bike the 7 km home to work on the farm. 

After finishing school, he worked various jobs, including road construction for the Department of Highways, until he began work at Donaldson Co. Canada automotive plant in Chatham. It was at Donaldson’s where his interest in cars and racing began.  Lunch breaks at the plant weren’t just for eating but for drag racing.  Chuck was the proud owner of a ‘54 Olds and with it, he won many a noon-hour drag race.  He and his fellow racers eventually formed a ‘hot rod’ club called the Crusaders, and it was on a drag strip near Cayuga where he and his Olds won the stock car championship in 1956. 

In 1958, Chuck and Bette Lou married and three years later, they purchased their own farm and built the home where they would raise their children.  Chuck continued his factory work for 39 years, while farming his 150 acres. Being a farmer was in his DNA. He found joy and satisfaction in hard work, in getting things done and in being a good neighbour and friend, visiting and helping people when he could, driving around the countryside in his brown pick up truck. Chuck was an active member of his church and was involved in his community, including strapping on the skates every Sunday to play Slow Boys Hockey until a broken wrist sidelined him at 70.  Also around that time, he became a grandpa for the first time, and then three more times.  He spent as much time with his grandchildren as he could, giving them scooter rides around the yard, getting them up into the cab of a tractor to cruise around and teaching them how to shuck sweet corn. 

Chuck is lovingly missed by his wife of 65 years and partner in all things, Bette Lou, his children Charlene Wranich (Paul Bourdeau), Bridget Wranich (Rene Malagon) and Craig Wranich (Brigette), his grandchildren Isabella Malagon, Jake Malagon, Ally Wranich and Nick Wranich. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marilyn Wranich, nieces and nephews, Lucy Ann Newport (Randy), Christine Dell (Bill), Cynthia McCullough (Greg), Janice Wranich and his great nieces and nephews Nathan Newport, Ashlynn Horvat (Mark), Sabrina Dell, Jeremy Dell, Kate Vandenhende (Jason), Jeff Wranich and great-great nephews Cullen and Mason Dell.  Also missing his stories and sense of humour, Andrew Bourdeau (Emilie Whitson) and Meghan Bourdeau (Brodie O’Neil) and his Vranic cousins in Australia, Croatia, East Garafraxa and Zambia. 

Chuck is predeceased by his parents, sister Nelsie Wranich, brother Nick Wranich (Jean), brother John Wranich and sister Anne Beaul (Edsel), his cousins Branko Vranic, Peter Vranic (Joanne) and their son Michael Vranic. Many thanks to the Erie St. Clair Community Care personal support workers and nurses, the doctors and amazing nurses at Four Counties Health Services and to Dr. Jeremy Keller for the care, kindness and support he gave to Chuck and his family.

The Wranich family will receive family and friends at the Badder & Robinson Funeral Home, 211 Elm St., Bothwell on Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Chuck's Funeral Mass will  be celebrated at St. Charles Garnier Roman Catholic Church, 244 Stella Ave., Glencoe on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Interment in St. Ignatius Cemetery, Bothwell. Lunch will follow at the Bothwell Legion Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Four Counties Health Services Foundation (c/o 1824 Concession Dr, Newbury, ON N0L 1Z0) or Friends of the Bothwell Catholic Cemetery (c/o P.O. Box 374, Bothwell, ON N0P 1C0). Online condolences and donations may be left at www.badderfuneralhome.com