Charlie Weiss

Charlie Weiss of Esterhazy, Saskatchewan passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 25, 2022 at the Esterhazy Centennial Special Care Home at the age of 92 years.

Charlie was born on a farm near Roland, Manitoba August 5 1929, youngest of five children to Otto and Rose Weiss. Charlie was the only child to be born in Canada, as the rest of his family were born in Zerotice, Czechoslovakia and immigrated to Canada a couple of years before Charlie was born. In 1935, Charlie’s family moved from Manitoba to Saskatchewan, settling down on a farm north of Yarbo in the vicinity of the Cutarm Creek near the K1 Potash mine. Charlie attended Redpath School by which his main mode of transportation was on his black horse, “Punch.” Charlie’s fondest school memories include recesses in the winter spent tobogganing down the valley hills and skating on the Cutarm Creek. In 1944, Charlie’s family purchased a different farm which moved them closer to Gerald. Charlie attended grades eight and nine at the Gerald School, and then made the decision to follow his love of farming by working on the family farm full-time.

Charlie had an ear for music and loved to sing. He was a natural at adding a harmony to any song. Charlie picked up the guitar at a young age, and as he grew into a teenager, he began performing at many local small town dances, socials and wiener roasts. Charlie was also a singer in the church choir and sang for many years in Gerald’s St. Wenceslaus Church. Sports was also a big part of Charlie’s life. He played centre with the Gerald Flyers for eighteen years and during this time he also formed and coached the Gerald Spitfires youth hockey team. Charlie also played back catcher on the Gerald senior baseball team for ten years, third base with the Gerald Comets softball team for seven years and coached Gerald minor ball for about five years. Charlie was always so proud of the kids he coached and was a firm believer in fair play for all players. Charlie’s Roman Catholic roots were strong and he taught Catechism for nine years in Gerald, became a chartered member of the Knights of Columbus and experienced a few months of meditation practice at a monastery in Manitoba. Charlie enjoyed talking about travel and would often reminisce about his trip to Montreal’s Expo 67 and the east coast.

It wasn’t long after that Charlie began to court the love of his life, Rose Lonoway, and in 1968 they were wed on August 9. Charlie and Rose began their married life in their new home on the farm by Gerald, where they raised four children. Farm life was a busy life, however Charlie made it a priority to take his family on a summer vacation every year. Banff and the Black Hills were family favourites, along with repeat trips to Nebraska to visit Charlie’s relatives and several holidays to Clear Lake. While family came first for Charlie, he also found time to serve others and was active on the local school board, the Gerald wheat board and the Knights of Columbus. In 1996, Charlie and Rose retired from farm life and moved to a home in Esterhazy where they made many close friendships with the neighbours on their street. Charlie embraced his retirement years, and enjoyed them with Rose singing in the church choir at Our Lady of Victories, playing shuffleboard at the Golden Jets, bowling, going for many walks around the town and playing cards with friends and family. Charlie’s favourite retirement hobby was making homemade wine from the various fruits grown in their backyard, with Rose his official taste tester. The highlight for Charlie during his retirement was the time he spent with his grandchildren, whom he would always make time for.

Charlie was predeceased by his sister Georgie (Petracek) and brothers Otto, Laddie and Johnnie Weiss.

Charlie will be forever remembered by his wife Rose, daughter Katherine (Chris) Miller, son Mark (Sandra) Weiss, son Stephen and son Jeff. He was a proud Grandpa to Nick, Braiden and Skye Miller and Nathan, Brandon and Mayla Weiss.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of the Esterhazy Centennial Special Care Home and St. Anthony’s Hospital for the exceptional care Charlie received.