John Jacoby

John W. Jacoby

Grandfather, father, husband, teacher, artist, died peacefully in the early morning of August 16, 2017 in his sleep, as he had wanted.

John was born December 5, 1935 in Milwaukee. H spent most of his growing up years in Greendale, WI, (where he was known as Bill). John graduated from UW-Milwaukee in its first year as a state school and to the consternation of his friend, Gary Glynn, has the same diploma as if he had graduated from UW-Madison. He accompanied a college friend to Great Lakes, IL where the friend wanted to take the test for Officer Candidates' School. Because he had nothing else to do while waiting for his friend, John took the test, too. His friend flunked, but John passed. He ended up in the Marine Corps flying helicopters.

When he got out of the Marines, John returned to UW-Milwaukee to take some graduate school courses. There he met Marge Wirsbitzki, who became his wife in 1964. John found a job teaching art in the Madison Public Schools and they moved to Madison after their honeymoon. He continued taking grad school courses, but the arrival of their four children and their decision for Marge to be a stay at home mom meant he had to go back to teaching. They moved into a house on the near Westside. John taught art in many schools in Madison, sometimes one on the Eastside in the morning and on the Westside in the afternoon. John retired from teaching after 30 years. He continued teaching art after retirement and was pleased that his students ranged in age from 4 to 94.

John was very involved in the community. At Blessed Sacrament Parish, he served as Parish Council president, on the Finance Committee, as chairman of the "Encore" variety show, and volunteer gardener. He was president of the Wisconsin Art Education Association, instrumental in the establishment of Youth Art Month in Wisconsin and Wisconsin Art Educator of the Year in 1994. After retiring he hit the art fair circuit in the Midwest spending some weekends in a 10 by 10 tent with his wife and his watercolors.

In the meantime, he became involved with the Madison-Freiburg Sister City Committee and spent many a Saturday morning at a card table in front the Hegg statue on the Square promoting the wonders of Freiburg Germany. He organized trips to Germany and Freiburg and hosted exchange students from Freiburg, which he truly enjoyed. He became president of the committee and reluctantly resigned from the group when his health began to fail.

John loved being the caregiver for his grandchildren, cooking, and having a good hamburger, gardening, and having a spirited political discussion. You really wanted John on your team if you were playing "Trivial Pursuit".

When he painted in his studio he often listened to Gilbert and Sullivan. His children and grandchildren got escorted to performances of "The Pirates of Penzance" and the "Mikado". Some of the songs are embedded in their brains.

While John was a resident at Capitol Lakes Health Center, he was visited by many friends and associates, which the family greatly appreciated.

Special thanks to Pema and the staff at Capitol Lakes, his primary physician, Dr. Robert Matthew of Group Health, and the staff of Agrace HospiceCare for their caring attention to John.

And thanks to Bev and Lauren who brought him the martini "fixins" and Dick who helped push him in his wheelchair to the Farmers' Market, Concerts on the Square and State Street.

John is survived by a very grateful family, his wife Marge; children, Kay (Jay) Hoel, Paul (Wednesday) Jacoby, Jack (Carole) Jacoby and Nicholas Jacoby; his grandchildren, Hartman, Victor and Gus Hoel, Koty Reich and Peyton Jacoby, Leo and Walter Jacoby; sister Barbara Janiszewski; brother-in-law Paul (Carie) Weston; many nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 1014 Fiedler Lane, #29 Madison, WI 53713; Doctors Without Borders, PO Box 5030 Hagerstown MD 21741; or your favorite charity.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. at BLESSED SACRAMENT ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2121 Rowley Ave., Madison, WI, on Friday, August 25, 2017 with Father Samuel Hakeem, O.P. A visitation will be held on Thursday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison and on Friday at church one hour prior to Mass.

Please share your memories of John.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434