GARY WISNESKI
October 02, 1947 - June 01, 2020
Obituary
Gary A Wisneski (AKA Coach Wiz or Suzy) found peace with our Lord on Monday, June 1, 2020, after a struggle with diabetes and heart issues. Gary was born on October 2, 1947 in Neenah to the late Michael & Marie Wisnefski. He attended St. John's grade school and St. Mary High School, graduating with the Class of 1965.
Gary was employed by the George Banta Printing Co., then RR Donnelley for over 45 years. During this same time, he coached girls' basketball at St. John's, Maplewood Middle School, and Menasha High. Many girls played for his “Wiz Kids” in tournaments in New London, Kimberly, Little Chute, and various other cities. He also was a volleyball and basketball referee and a softball umpire, and was very proud of his WIAA affiliation. He even attended an officials' camp in Madison they sponsored.
In 2005, Gary received the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association award as Wisconsin Jr. High Basketball Coach of the Year. It was the high point of his coaching career.
After retirement, Gary was a crossing guard for Menasha PD and a relief bridge tender/operator for the Racine & Tayco Street bridges in Menasha. He was extremely proud of that position!
Gary was active in the MacDowell Male Chorus, Appleton, for over 16 years. He loved singing and he looked so very dashing in his performance tuxedo.
Gary married the love of his life, Susan, on June 10, 1995. They would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year. He is survived by his wife, Sue, and by his children Sheila (Todd) Kronberg, Chad (Jackie) Wisneski and Tracee Webster. He was blessed with 8 grandchildren (Melissa, Michelle, Taylor, Mitchell, Kyra, Riley, Spencer and Andrew) and 7 great-grandchildren (Ariya, Kaden, Jacob, Violet, Madison, Chloe and Brielle), as well as his two at-home girls, Bella and Penny. There also are very many nieces and nephews, cousins and lots of friends.
He is further survived by his brother, Mike (Kay) Wisneski, sisters Carolyn Verkuilen and Mary Flynn and a brother-in-law, Dan Driscoll. Besides his parents, others who passed before Gary were his sister, Marilyn Driscoll, and his brothers-in-law Jim Verkuilen and Jim Flynn.
Due to the pandemic, a memorial service and a celebration of Gary's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.