Long-time and well-known curling broadcaster Chuck Pachkowsky passed away peacefully on Wednesday at the age of 89.  

Chuck started broadcasting curling games to Weyburn and Saskatchewan audiences in 1973 at the World Championships in Regina, and for over 20 years called everything from local bonspiels to Provincials, World Championships, Silver Brooms, and Briers from across North America and around the world, back to curling fans in Saskatchewan. Chuck continued producing special features including a golf show called "The Caddy Shack". 

“Chuck was one-of-a-kind in broadcasting. He was a master at mixing business with pleasure, and he and I did plenty of both,” The operator of Weyburn and Estevan Radio Stations CFSL/CJSL during that period, Jim Laing said. “We first hooked up in the 1960s when the Richardsons of Regina were winning everything in curling, and I wanted to get curling on CFSL radio." 

He added from then to the mid-1990s, Chuck was the best-known voice of curling on the radio in Canada, and was written up and honored in national newspapers. 

“They all knew Chuck, no last name required,” he said. “Along the way, Chuck earned many, many friends and fans.”  

Former Provincial Curling Champion and World Senior Men's Champion Eugene Hritzuk added "Chuck was the best curling radio broadcast voice in the world!" 

Chuck's gracious interview style and creative flare drew fans and grew the sport of curling, with Chuck being recognized in 2005 with the SCA Legends of Curling Award. 

Chuck volunteered his personality and talent in Weyburn as an emcee for countless events and as a host for Communithon for close to three decades. 

Chuck also spent a career with SaskTel and was one of Weyburn's best-known golfers as a past Crocus Champion and coach to many young and new golfers. Chuck helped develop one of the very first computerized golf handicap tracking programs for Weyburn's club, Chuck is also remembered for the annual RRCP Golf Tournament for many years and was also recognized as an Honorary Life Member of Weyburn Golf Club in 1995. 

Donations can be made in memory of Chuck Pachkowsky to this year's United Way Communithon

Here's Jim Laing on Chuck Pachkowsky's legacy: