
Charles Joseph Vignieri
October 7, 1924 -
March 18, 2015

US Veteran
Very early this last Wednesday morning, March 18th, 2015, a great man slipped away from us. He was Charles Joseph Vignieri, born in Chicago 90 years ago in humble beginnings to a young Italian immigrant couple. He arrived in the middle of the roaring twenties, October 7th, 1924, when there was hope, and optimism, and millions of little families like this, each building their own American dream. The First World War was a fading memory and the depression was as yet unknown.
In 1926, Charles gained a little sister, Mary, but in 1932, when he was 7, they lost their mom to a brief illness. Frank remarried to Clara Misurelli, and then moved here to Kenosha from Waukegan, Illinois with his family, to which they would eventually add six more children. Charlie, the oldest, was expected to help his father when in 1937, Frank decided to go into the meat business. After school and especially on Saturdays, 13 year old Charlie helped his father collect veal calves from outlying farms (like “out there” on 39th Avenue) and together they would butcher, process, and deliver meat to local neighborhood grocery stores. Young Charlie couldn’t have known it then, but his life’s work had begun.
1942 was important. During Charlie’s senior year at Kenosha High School, he and his friends attended Big Band Dances held every Sunday night at the Eagles Ballroom downtown. It was there he met a lovely girl who had come down from Racine with her friends on the “Inter-Urban” light rail train transport that ran “all the way to Milwaukee.” Charlie’s best friend had met her the night before at a “blackout drill” in downtown Racine, and he had invited her to the dance. This was Lorraine Josephine Vanderwarn, and Charlie was instantly and completely smitten. They danced the first dance together, then danced the rest of the night together, and then danced the rest of their lives together. He often said “I believe in love at first sight, because it happened to me!”
But love and marriage would have to wait … there was a new World War brewing. At the train depot the day he left for overseas, Lorraine sent Charlie away with a perfumed handkerchief, and a promise to be his wife after the war. For three years that hanky was mailed back and forth between the two. He’d send it home when it ran out of smell, and she’d happily send it back with a fresh dose of perfume. The sweet, simple love affair that started ‘back home’ in Kenosha was holding fast on a terrifying world stage.
When Charlie’s troop transport was sent to the Pacific to prepare for the invasion of Japan, it had to “stand down” to allow a fast cruiser to go out under the Golden Gate Bridge ahead of it. That cruiser was the Indianapolis, and it was carrying “Little Boy,” the bomb destined to be dropped on Hiroshima. Charlie was scheduled D+3, which meant he would be landed on the third day of the invasion. But Japan surrendered instead, and the remainder of his army career was spent handling supplies in the Philippines.
In 1945, he was honorably discharged and returned from across the ocean. He took up right where he left off at his father’s side, helping run the business, Frank Vignieri & Son, which would eventually change names to Kenosha Packing Company, and finally (and still today) Kenosha Beef International/Birchwood Foods. On June 29th, 1946, at St. Mary’s in Racine, he and Lorraine were finally married. They started their life in a small, tumble down, cramped, two room ‘efficiency’ apartment, which Charlie often said was the “best place I ever lived … because it was just me and my sweet Lorraine.” This wasn’t to last.
They had a little boy, Allan, who came along in May, 1948. Then a little girl, Susan, in 1949. Then Dennis in ’52, Richard in ’53, Patricia in ’55, Joseph (me) in ’57, Thomas in ’61, Daniel in ’63, and finally Mark, in 1964. Nine kids in all! When a tenth pregnancy miscarried, Charlie and Lorraine were done having children, at least of their own. They were not, however, done raising a family. Today there are 23 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren! “La Familia Vignieri” has grown to 90, and they are all Charlie’s kids. He was known to say to Lorraine at huge family gatherings “look what you did!” She would quip back without hesitation “you were there too!”
Charlie loved family. He’d often begin a speech to his employees by saying “our work is important, but first comes God, and then comes family!” That’s not to say he didn’t love work though, because he did. Charlie was a business man without equal. The company was as much ‘home’ as was his own house, and every one of his employees was ‘family’ whether they were his vice presidents or his security guards. He tried to know them all by name, and he led them with the same values he taught his nine children … hard work, responsibility, honesty, loyalty. He was tough without being uncompassionate, and he was compassionate without losing his toughness. He told me that he learned the secret to success is simple: show up in the morning, unlock the door, and work hard all day … then go home to rest and do it again tomorrow.
Success followed Charlie wherever he went, at home, at work, and also in the community. A long standing member and past president of the Rotary Club, Charlie always cared deeply for Kenosha. He joined numerous boards and charity organizations and is widely known for his philanthropy to many of the service organizations of our community. He was very active in the meat industry also, leading innovation with vacuum packaging in a day when very few even knew what that was. His perseverance and foresight shaped the boxed beef industry. His company is currently operating facilities in three states, and sends a weekly paycheck home to over 700 families. Charlie made a difference in every community circle through which he moved.
Towards the end of his life, the cause of unborn children became Charlie and Lorraine’s passion. They loved kids. Along with Lorraine he joined WRTL (Wisconsin Right to Life) and worked tirelessly to slow the rate of abortion, while simultaneously supporting many of the services and shelters in the community needed to support the women who then choose to carry their child. His was a passion that spoke out, but at the same time did not, would not, shirk the responsibility that comes along with those words.
In 2003, Charlie was struck with two strokes that left him a quadriplegic. Finally, at the age of 79, he was forced to retire. For nine years he was cared for by excellent staff at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, and then for the last three years he convalesced at home, cared for by a group of girls he called “Charlie’s Angels.” As with everyone else in life that came to know this dear man, they were absorbed into the gravity of his life force, and are now his family, his children.
In September of 2009 Charlie lost his sweet Lorraine. He told me many times “I want to be with Lorraine.” He would say “I don’t understand why God did this to me.” I would tell him “I think it’s because you were the strong one. Mom couldn’t be the one left behind, and God knew that.” In every relationship, he was always the strong one. He was a man who would carry other’s burdens on his shoulders even though his own legs wouldn’t hold him up.
Charlie is survived by his nine children, Allan Vignieri, and his wife, Karla (Perkins), Dennis Vignieri, Susan Seymour and her fiancé, Mike Dicello, Richard Vignieri, Patricia Palmer and her husband, Daniel, Joseph Vignieri, Thomas Vignieri, and his wife, Ali (Amherst), Daniel Vignieri and his wife, Jodi (Lamb), Mark Vignieri and his fiancé, Patricia Carey, his honorary daughter, Vicki Vignieri, and his best friend, Earlene Girman.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Sevick, his sister, Rosemary Weingrad and her husband, Steven, his sister, Judy Martir, his brother, Michael Vignieri and his wife, Michelle, and his youngest brother, Tony Vignieri and his wife, Elizabeth.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Rosaria “Sadie” (Saporita) Vignieri, his beloved wife, Lorraine, his brother, Frank Vignieri, and his sister, Joyce Heinze and her husband, Thomas.
The Vignieri family would like to send special thanks and love to Dr. Giuseppe Garretto. Sir, your skill, knowledge, and gracious kindness made our care of Charlie the best it possibly could be. We are forever in your debt.
Service Info
Everyone is hereby formally invited to come and attend Charlie on the last of his journey. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2224 30th Avenue. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the church for the Mass. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. George Cemetery.
Posted by:
Michael A De FazioTo The family of Charles Vignieri, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Mr. Vignieri was one of those rare people who He is not only a loss to you his family but to the whole community. Sincerely, Mike and Terri De Fazio
Posted by:
Bea Walker (Sweeney)To the family of Charlie, So sorry to hear of your loss of a wonderful man & Father, May God Bless each & everyone of you
Posted by:
Deborah Rizzo - LarsenDear Joe and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Only know, the loving care and wonderful family memories will always be with you all! He was, as I read his obituary a very giving man and those generous spirits are spoken of often, and kept alive through those of us left behind to continue their good work. God Bless. Joe, hopefully we can share the stage boards again someday, and my mom and your dad will look down on us" healthy and happy" from heaven. Take care, Debbie
Posted by:
Diane WilcoxI will always remember the days my husband, Mike, worked at Kenosha Beef. Being new to Kenosha, it was our first introduction to Kenosha and Chuck was a great example to his employees. We were given a new home here and I will always remember how great we were treated. I know Mike will give Chuck an equally warm greeting in heaven.
Posted by:
Pam Pfleger-RugeDear Tom Thinking of you. Prayers to you and your family. Enjoy your memories. From your friend. Pam Pfleger-Ruge (St.Joes)
Posted by:
Terry HafnerMy sincere sympathy in the death of Charlie. I have fond memories of the kind smiles and generosity he and Lorraine shared with our St. Peter's Choir and Life Right, Inc. Terry Hafner
Posted by:
Ike EdwardsSome might consider it an adversarial relationship, my being a union rep and "Charlie" being management, but I never felt it so. When ever we'd meet, after a strong hearty hand shake, he'd ask about my family and their health. And ya know what, this wasn't just banter he REALLY cared. "Charlie" was very family oriented and it showed up in the way he lived his life. I always enjoyed speaking with him and was saddened to hear of his poor health over the past few years. My condolences to Dennis, Rick, Susan, and the rest of the family.
Posted by:
Hockenberg NewburghSarah, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. Our thoughts are with your family at this difficult time. Your friends at Hockenberg Newburgh
Posted by:
DeannaJen, I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandpa. His obituary tells the story of a wonderful man. I'm sure you will miss him but believe you will find comfort knowing your Grandma was there to welcome him home. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Take care, Deanna & Bob
Posted by:
Joyce,Jeremy,Jodi PlaczkowskiWe are so sorry for your loss. Charlie was such a nice man. Jim always had nice things to say about both parents. May his memory be a blessing.







