Hamilton philanthropist Charles Juravinski, who donated millions to health care, dies at 92

Charles Juravinski, a businessman and philanthropist who left his mark with tens of millions in donations to support health care across Hamilton, has died.

He was 92.

Juravinski's death came just one day after he and his wife, Margaret, showcased their generosity yet again, this time with a $5.1-million donation toward health care in the city through the Juravinski Research Institute.

"He passed away, perhaps fittingly, at Margaret's Place — a hospice named in Margaret's honour at St. Joseph's Villa in Dundas," the institute said in a statement Wednesday.

Juravinski was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 as the Great Depression began.

His family moved to Hamilton in 1942 where he worked in construction before helping launch the Flamborough Downs racetrack.

In recent years he and Margaret, who were married for 65 years, donated more than $60 million to health-care causes and research in the city.

Then, in 2019, the couple created the Juravinski Research Institute, which took the form of a $100-million endowment fund.

That gift will see McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton collectively receive up to $5 million per year in perpetuity after their deaths.

"Today, we are old. We love our lives, but as in all matters, we are also pragmatic," the couple wrote at the time. 

"We know we are much closer to the end than to the beginning, and we are ready," they wrote. "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."

Dr. Julian Dobranowski, chair of the institute's steering and scientific committees, described Juravinski as a "remarkable man" and a friend.

He "was a child of the Great Depression who was determined to work hard, take risks, and give back," Dobranowski said in a statement.

"Every time he and Margaret gave, Charlie encouraged others to give back, too. He was quick to say, it didn't matter how much, he just wanted people to experience the joy of giving."