Obituary of Charles K. Wanish

Charles K. Wanish 87, of Cortland, NY, passed away on June 20, 2015. Born on October 16, 1927 in Canandaigua, NY, he was the son of the late George G. and Florence Cummings Wanish. Charles graduated from Cortland High School in 1945. He went on to serve his country with the USA Navy from 1945 to 1947. Charles returned to Cortland to work in the family business the Cortland Corset Company. He later became president of the company, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. Charles was active in the Cortland community. He was one the founding directors of the J.M. Murray Center. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus, attaining the rank of 4th Degree Knight. Charles was a lifetime member of the Cortland Elks Lodge BPOE 748, a member of the American Legion and the Moose Lodge. Charles was also a long-standing member of the Cortland Country Club and was past president to its Board of Governors. He was a generous supporter of many community non –profit agencies. Charles is survived by his children John (Angela) Wanish of Homer, Charles (Patricia) Wanish of Virginia and James Wanish of Groton; grandchildren Ryan Wanish, Brandon Wanish, and Stacey Wanish Sifuentes; brother Russell Wanish; nieces Donna Wanish, Jean Wanish and Bernadette (Mark) Travis; great-nephews and niece Ethan, Rowan and Emily Travis. Charles was predecease by his wife Madelon Wanish; daughter Mary Wanish; brothers George Jr. and Edward. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 am Friday at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church 46 North Main Street Cortland. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery Friends ae invited to call Thursday from 4 – 6 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home 9 Lincoln Ave. Cortland, NY. Contributions in Memory of Charles can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Hospice of Cortland, or a Community organization of your choosing. To offer online condolences, visit www.wright-beard.com