James H. Prey Sr.

SARASOTA, FLORIDA/MADISON - James H. Prey, Sr., age 85, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2010. He was born in Red Granite, Wisconsin, on November 14, 1925, the son of Alfred Prey and Mildred (Appleby) Prey. James graduated from Central High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1943 he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country during WWII under General Mark Clark in the 5th U.S Army seeing combat action. While stationed in Milan, Italy, he met his future wife, Luisa (Casati) Prey at a neighborhood dance. Jim proposed marriage to Luisa and she then joined him in Milwaukee in 1947 at which time they were married at the Grand Avenue Congregational Church. Jim and Luisa were married for 63 years and had four children and four grandchildren. Jim attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He then worked for SafeCo Insurance Company for 20 years going on to become Chief of Agent Licensing for the Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner's Office in Madison, Wisconsin, where he worked for 20 years before retiring. Jim and Luisa loved to travel and made many visits to Europe as well as Brazil. His irreverant sense of humor was one of his most endearing qualities and his commentaries on our crazy world and its inhabitants were always made in a witty but gentle way. Jim was musically inclined with a beautiful singing voice. His love of music and love for performing shaped the musical future of his children and grandchildren who inherited his musical gift.  Jim was very proud of his children, Joan Canto (Orlando), James Jr. (Jackie), Mark (Denise) and Laura Prey-Lovell (Bradley). He was a loving and devoted grandfather and his grandchildren, Justin, James III, Lydia and Bradley Jr. were a source of tremendous joy and pride.

Jim will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.

A memorial visitation will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Wednesday, December 22, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.