CHARLES JOHN BROSCH

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CHARLES JOHN BROSCH

1927 - 2024

Our family is saddened to share with you the peaceful passing of Charles John Brosch on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Concordia hospital.

Charlie was born November 14, 1927 in Winnipeg, Manitoba (St. Joseph’s Hospital). He was the eldest of three children. He completed school at Kelvin High School, then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Manitoba. Upon completion, he enrolled in a Meteorological course in Toronto in 1951. Upon graduation, he was posted to RCAF Base Greenwood, NS. where he met Velma Hiltz and were married in March 1954. They lived in Kingston, NS. then transferred to RCAF Base Portage la Prairie in 1956. They were posted to RCAF Base Grostenquin, France from 1959 to 1963 and saw much of Europe while there. Upon returning to Canada, they settled in Winnipeg and raised their family in St. James, residing nearly 56 years in the same home on Muriel Street. Dad was a meteorologist for his whole career, retiring from Environment Canada as a supervisor in 1987.

Dad was a handyman around the house and took pride in his yard. There were several incarnations of the backyard including him manually installing an in-ground pool for the family in 1972. Dad was a master gardener. He built himself a greenhouse, then started all his plants from seed. One of his many interests was flying. He got his private pilot's license in 1969 and enjoyed his time in the air. Dad was an Instructor at the Winnipeg Flying Club, teaching Meteorology to students at the Ground School. He also loved to take family members and friends flying, including at night to see the Christmas lights from the air. He liked to take the family camping with the giant three room tent they used while touring in Europe. The two trips across Canada, to each coast, were camping trips. Other interests were bowling with mom at the Village Inn bowling alley. He took up square dancing, and for a time dad would curl. He enjoyed photography, taking pictures of all the children as they grew. He even had his own darkroom for developing and printing his photographs, which later doubled as his wine cellar. Another of his long-time interests was wine making, which he started in the early 70s and continued until they moved to an assisted living building in 2020.

Dad and mom were longtime members of St. Charles Roman Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. For many years they organized the card players group, a weekly time of fellowship. They also loved to entertain and were a part of a group of friends who took turns hosting each other to play canasta and socialize. They took plenty of vacations to many exotic places such as Hawaii, Jamacia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico as well as many winters in their RV at warm locations throughout the southern United States (favourite being Arizona).

Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his life are his children, Karl (Susan) Brosch, Katherine Brosch, Judith (Dale) Corry, Janet (Alex) McDougall and David (Michelle) Brosch, sister Helen McGregor, sister-in-law Linda Mahar, 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Velma (nee Hiltz) Brosch, his dad John Brosch, his mother Katherine (nee Tiefenbach) Brosch, brother Frank Brosch, stepmother Elizabeth (nee Burde) Brosch, brother-in-law Ronald McGregor, nephew Scott McGregor, niece Brenda (nee Howlett) McGregor and two grandchildren, Mary Anne Brosch and Jason Carpenter.

A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of N1 North for their caring and compassion while looking after dad.

Cremation has taken place, and a private memorial service will be held on June 1st with Interment to follow.

In lieu of flowers donations in Charlie's memory can be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 27, 2024, Apr 27, 2024