Charles “Chuck” Bayuk

Charles “Chuck” Edward Bayuk died on Oct. 12, 2024, after a 21-year struggle with cancer. Locally loved by many, Chuck was a one-of-a-kind, highly revered and talented Madison musician, known for his astounding breadth and depth of songs, ranging from John Prine to Neil Young to Robert Earl Keane. His rich, commanding and compelling voice and acoustic guitar connected and enthralled audiences, large and small – every time. He played with many musicians and bands, typically singing lead, including the “Drunken Sailors (Chuck, Frankie and Tom, a.k.a. the First Friday Altered Boys),” “Acoustic Charlies,” “Chuck and the Chuckettes,” “Bruised Orange,” and with Tim Haub, sisters Teresa and Rosy, and too many others to list. He was Madison’s own Jimmy Buffett songster, playing for years at the Harmony Bar fundraiser for the Goodman Community Center (formerly the Atwood Community Center).

Chuck generously donated his time, music talents and creations to many local nonprofits and anyone who asked for help with a project. He played for many weddings and funerals. He was a skilled carpenter and woodworker, and proud member of the North Central Regional Council of Carpenters. He made hundreds of beautiful bird houses, bowls, Aldo Leopold benches and various other wood doodads. He was a productive vegetable gardener. As an avid fly fisherman and a member of Trout Unlimited, he traveled worldwide to fish. He had fishing adventures on the Amazon in Brazil, in Tierra del Fuego, Canada, Belize, western U.S. and Alaska. Chuck loved music, songbirds, potica, cribbage, the Packers and Brewers, jokes, puns, potatoes and his Slovenian heritage.

Chuck was born on Aug. 7, 1951, at the Marshfield hospital, joining the family in Willard. He graduated from Greenwood High School, Class of 1969. He worked for several Madison building contractors after he moved to Madison in his twenties until retirement. After meeting his partner Sherry in 1986, they purchased a home together that Chuck remodeled with the help of many friends. Chuck and Sherry married in 2017 and enjoyed their home, workshop and gardens.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Sherry Schrank; 12 siblings: Richard of Kansas City, Mo., Colette (Paul) Jordan of Granton, Mary (Gary) Nauertz of Neillsville, Chris (Mark) Polzin of Byron, Minn., Johnny of Willard, Pat (Jean) of Newark, Del., Tim (Joan) of Wautoma, Tom (Reba) of Wakeeney, Kan., Edward J. of Willard, Teresa (Larry) Jolivette, of Eau Claire, Rosemary (Ken Hoerer) of Madison, and Janet (Jim) Phelps of Delavan; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition, he will be sadly missed by his in-law family: Pam and Bob Bogacz, Deb and Paul Gustafson, Candy Schrank and Charles Gates; nieces, Courtney (Matt) and Katrina (Nick); grandnephew, Jack; and his musician partners and innumerable friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Josephine Bayuk; aunts and uncles; and grandniece/nephew, Paula Jordan and Austin Bayuk.

Please share your memories at https://obits.cremationsocietyofmadison.com/. The family would like to thank the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center staff and Dr. Glenn Liu, Agrace Hospice and all the family and friends who helped keep Chuck comfortable on his way to his next adventure.

Those wishing to make a memorial gift may do so in Chuck’s name to the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center (https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?custom= med04& group=carbone) or Agrace Hospice (https://www.agrace.org/donate/).

Chuck’s family will gather privately to celebrate his life at a later time.

PAID OBITUARY 159780