Hamilton philanthropists Charles and Margaret Juravinski at their Greensville home in 2019. Charles passed away peacefully in his sleep earlier this week. Photo credit: McMaster University
On Tuesday, well-known philanthropist and businessman Charles Juravinski passed away at the age of 92.
Juravinski, who donated tens of millions of dollars over the decades to building up health care and education in the City of Hamilton, is survived by his wife of 65 years Margaret.
“He passed away, perhaps fittingly, at Margaret’s Place – a hospice named in Margaret’s honour at St. Joseph’s Villa in Dundas,” said a joint statement from Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, and McMaster University on Wednesday.
Juravinski’s death came just one day after he and Margaret announced a $5.1 million Valentine’s Day gift to support health research across the city.
“Long before I had taken on this role at St. Joe’s, I had heard so much about the generosity of the Juravinskis – a couple who chose time and time again to invest in creating a healthier future for all,” said Melissa Farrell, president at St. Joseph’s Healthcare.
“Charles also had an infectious way of challenging the institutions he and Margaret supported to think differently, to collaborate more, to share often, and to give selflessly. Those important lessons will continue to guide us, long after his passing.”
Born in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan in 1929, Juravinski had a challenging upbringing as his family – like so many families at the time – had to barter for food and struggled to make ends meet during the Great Depression.
In 1942, his family relocated to Hamilton, where he met Margaret. The couple married in 1956. They never had children.
“Charlie Juravinski was a child of the great depression who was determined to work hard, take risks, and give back,” said Dr. Julian Dobranowski, chair of the Juravinski Research Institute steering and scientific committees. “With every donation he and Margaret made, Charlie had plans, expectations of how that gift would improve the lives of people in our community and those around the world, too.”
In 1958, Juravinski and his brother-in-law founded WilChar Construction Limited in Dundas. The construction company operated for 13 years before closing in 1971.
He was approached by former Ontario cabinet minister Ray Connell, a local farmer and horseman, in 1972 about starting a racetrack in the area.
Together, Juravinski and Connell purchased property in Flamborough Township on Highway 5 for the potential track. The pair then secured transportation company owner John Grant as a major investor.
Construction began in 1974 and Flamboro Downs opened to the public on Apr. 9, 1975.
After years of incredible success and the retirement of all his partners, Juravinski sold the racetrack as sole owner in 2002 to Magna Entertainment Corp. for $72 million.
His life as a philanthropist started in earnest shortly thereafter, as he began donating his fortune to health care six months after the sale.
“Charles Juravinski was a true original – his distinctive style and manner were well known and admired across our City,” said Rob MacIsaac, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences.
“Together with Margaret, their philanthropy in health care and innovative research has positively influenced the lives of countless patients and their families in our region, and across our Province.”
Between 2003 and 2018, the Juravinskis gave more than $63.7 million to Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, and McMaster University, while also supporting many other causes and organizations in the city.
In 2019, Charles and Margaret announced a legacy endowment of more than $100 million to fund health research in Hamilton long into the future. The estate gift is one of the largest ever in Canada. The endowment launched the Juravinski Research Institute and will provide $5 million a year for research, in perpetuity.
“As a couple, our most important lesson has been this: the greatest pleasure in life and the most powerful force for good in the world is sharing,” wrote the Juravinskis in a May 2019 letter to the community.
“We have learned that sharing our resources is in itself like a drug – one with a euphoric and healing effect. Simply put, nothing feels better than to help others feel better.
Today, we are old. We love our lives, but as in all matters, we are also pragmatic. We know we are much closer to the end than to the beginning, and we are ready.
We want to be sure our remaining resources are able to do as much good for as many people for as long as they can.”
