CHARLES TRACY

It is with great sadness and loving memories that we announce the death of our dear father, grandfather and great grandfather, Charles R. (Chuck) Tracy. Chuck was 97, a proud 11-year resident of the Bethlehem Woods Retirement Community in LaGrange Park and a former resident of Western Springs. Chuck is survived by his son, Charles (Anna); daughters Winifred (Alfredo) Alban; Jeanne (William) Plunkett; and Christine (Thomas) Martin. His first wife, Winifred Corbett Tracy, to whom he was married for 49 years and with whom he had four children, died in 1994. His dear second wife, Marie Harvey Tracy, passed away in 2010. He is also survived by his grandchildren Nora (John) Dudley; Kara (Ryan) Shanley; Colin Plunkett; Matt (Anne) Martin; Megan Tracy; Nathan Tracy; and Sheila Martin; and by his great grandchildren Ceili and Charlie Dudley. Other survivors include his sister, Virginia (Bud) Haley, of Towson, MD; and Edward (Susan) Tracy of Westchester. A brother, James (Nancy) Tracy, of Edina, Minn., predeceased him. Chuck was also uncle to 33 nephews and nieces. The family wishes to recognize Chuck's dear friend and companion, Betty Tobin, who died last February. Chuck was raised in Oak Park in Ascension Parish and prior to his death was believed to be the oldest surviving alumnus of Fenwick High School, having graduated in the then-young school's class of 1935. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and was variously stationed in Illinois, Texas and Europe. Immediately after returning home from the war, he joined International Harvester where he spent his entire career. He was a comptroller for the company in a number of divisions and, later assigned to its international operations, travelled the world. Between 1968 and 1971, he was stationed in Australia as the company's country comptroller. Chuck graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in accounting and later earned a master's in business administration from the University of Chicago. Chuck loved his family and family get-togethers. And he loved to tell stories and jokes and would regale the entire family. He enjoyed travel and visited many countries across the world. And he loved being Irish. Chuck's family wishes to express its sincerest appreciation to the staff of Bethlehem Woods for their many kindnesses over the years; to the nurses and doctors of LaGrange Community Hospital for their support in the last week; and to the staff of Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, for the wonderful care and comfort they offered Chuck. Lying-In-State Thursday, October 2, 2014 at 9:00 am at The Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel, 1515 W. Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park. Funeral mass will follow immediately in the chapel at 11 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 North Ridge, Chicago, IL 60660 (www.misericordia.com). For further info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.