Thomas Misco Sr.

Wrapped in the arms of his loving wife, Thomas John Misco, Sr. moved into the cosmos on December 11, 2021.  Tom was born in Green Bay, WI on August 6, 1950. He spent his childhood running around his family’s farmland, playing in the river, ice skating, and “picking pickles” with his cousins. He was also a world-class altar boy. In 1973, he graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He embarked on an illustrious career, building everything from medical clinics, schools, bridges, deep tunnels, mausoleums, dams, liquor stores, hotels and condos, to office buildings, roundabouts, water treatment plants, breweries, underground aircraft hangers, and solar homes (way before they were cool). He helped save Milwaukee’s drinking water from cryptosporidium, no joke. As a “serial entrepreneur,” he became enchanted with an old office building and theater in La Crosse and made The Rivoli Theater (and its unrivaled beer selection) his passion project for 27 years.

But let’s back up to 1968 and his luckiest day ever: the freshman year dance at the Memorial Union where he met his EVERYTHING – best friend, confidant, angel, voice-of-reason, and partner in all things (whether she liked it or not) for 53 years, Mary Genevieve Brost. Together, they had three perfect children, who in turn had three perfect children. Tom’s wife, children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren were his true legacy and deepest source of pride and joy.

Tom was a man of deep fervor, spirituality, and conviction. He felt, believed, loved, and dreamed big; nothing was ever half-way. Here’s a small taste of what he cherished most: architecture (especially Frank Lloyd Wright), peace, dams, concrete, rock ‘n roll, municipal water systems, self-improvement, fire pits, growing acres of organic anything and everything, baking sourdough bread, flowers, craft beer, working hard, cool lake breezes on hot summer nights, any food made with love, justice, Door County (lake side), sheepshead, thunderstorms, PackersBadgersBrewers, fantastically wild ideas (on the daily), the Terrace, equity, his parcel of heaven in Sampson, polish pastries, eating, drinking and being merry with Mary, and playing board games of all kinds with his family (he was crushing it at Scrabble lately).  No matter the challenges, every single day was “never better.”

Tom fought for the little guy and the underprivileged; he didn’t suffer fools. He was an ardent supporter of Wisconsin Democrats, logic and reason, scientific evidence, and always using the right tool for the job. If you had his loyalty, you knew it, as he was your biggest cheerleader (“Way to Go!”). His endorsement was authentic and made you feel golden.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents George and Frances Misco, his brother Ronald, and many other relatives with whom he loved playing cards and drinking beer. He is survived by his cherished wife Mary, his daughters Elizabeth (Thomas Neumann) and Laura (Christopher Schreiber) and his son Thomas; his grandchildren Charlotte Neumann, Mila Misco, and Evan Schreiber; his sisters Lillian Kawczynski, Geri Misco, and Marlene Johnson, and many, many beloved relatives and friends.

In lieu of sending flowers, consider planting a tree or donating to the American Diabetes Association in remembrance of Tom. A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at a later date. We wish to thank the gifted Cardiac ICU and Neurology teams at UW Hospital for their diligence, guidance, and compassion.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406