Charles Raymond Podgursky

LOUISVILLE - Charles Raymond Podgursky, 78, died on April 20, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born in Frunze (now Bishkek), Kyrgyzstan in 1946, lived as a refugee in Cyprus before arriving in pre-statehood Israel, Belgium, then finally arriving in Louisville, KY in 1958. The son of a Holocaust survivor, Charles’ identity was graced with the Jewish religion and culture in which he was raised.

Charles was an athlete who excelled at soccer, football, bowling, and racquetball. He was brilliant with numbers, drawing, and drafting and found his way into the world of building houses. He ran his own business up until the very end, even from the hospital bed. Charles had a strong mind for the mechanical and always seemed to know how things worked.

Anyone who knew Charles was charmed by his wit, charisma, and sense of humor at all costs. He made friends wherever he went while maintaining friendships spanning back to his high school days. He was married for 52 years and created a family and life that he could have never dreamed of in the world from which he came. A truly self-made man, Charles was giving to strangers and loved ones until the very end.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aron and Carol Podgursky, his brothers, Jack, Josef, and Sal, and his sister, Sara.

He is survived by his wife Lois, sons David and Jeremy, grandchildren Noah, Sallie, and Gemma, and his brother, Henry “Hank” (Wanda).

Funeral services were held on April 22nd and were followed by burial in Keneseth Israel Cemetery.

Memorial contributions honoring Charles may be made to Congregation Keneseth Israel or the American Liver Foundation.