Virgil Lynn Grenia

Virgil Lynn Grenia passed away peacefully at the UW Hospital in Madison, WI in the early morning hours of September 1 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. 

 Virgil was born in Peoria, IL, the son of Virgil Glenwood Grenia and Louise Duncan Grenia. In 1947, the family moved to Allied Mills Research Farm in Mundelein, IL. Growing up on the farm, he learned about mechanics and a strong work ethic from his father and learned the love of music from his mother. He picked up a trumpet in third grade at Hawthorn Elementary School and never looked back. Music was his absolute passion, and he excelled so quickly that he began taking private lessons. When there was company at home, Virg and his sister were always pressed into providing a concert—he played the trumpet and Mary Lu sang. Virg also enjoyed spending time on his grandparents’ farm in Bismarck, MO and helping his Grandpa Grenia with chores while also learning to help his grandmother churn butter. It was a varied educational experience, to be sure!

 While still attending Libertyville High School, he formed a dance band known as the Triumphs with some friends and they were in demand at sock hops. Virgil also worked at a local golf course and a nearby turkey farm. Graduating from high school in 1958, he worked as a tool and die maker for a time before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1960. After completing basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX and technical training at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS, he married and was sent to Yalova, Turkey where he proudly served as a Morse Interceptor Operator for nearly 2 years. After returning to the States, he was stationed at Truax AFB in Madison, WI. While in the service, Virgil played with a band at the Officer’s Club and became quite popular with other musicians in the area. 

After discharge, he went into sales but never lost the love of entertaining. He became proficient at not only the trumpet, but also the tenor saxophone, valve trombone, tambourine, and singing. Virg enjoyed playing polkas for the college students at the Essen Haus Restaurant and Bar in Madison and learned the fine art of yodeling while wearing lederhosen. He played with several bands and other talented musicians in the area, entertaining often at Black River Falls State Park, and regularly at the Park Ponderosa in McFarland, WI with Don Ring & his Rhythm Kings Orchestra. When the Badger football team played home games, you would find him at the Avenue Bar with others playing the UW fight song! When the demand for Big Band music and dancing diminished, he bought an electronic keyboard, recorded his own vocals and accompaniments and found gigs at nursing homes and assisted living residences. Virg also was called upon to play for VFW events and played taps at military funerals. He was always a willing volunteer and loved helping others.

He was always an animal lover, and in his later years befriended the crows in the back yard as well as the resident chipmunk who would come to him demanding a treat. Numerous dogs, cats, and birds were also spoiled by him---including a parrot who liked to sing with Willie Nelson music.

 For the better part of the last three decades, he made his home in Fitchburg with Sheilah Franzoso, his friend and partner.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Sora J Baker, son Andrew J Grenia, and the mothers of his children, Marjorie Gustafson and Judith Grenia. Left to cherish his memory are his life partner, Sheilah Franzoso of Fitchburg, WI; his sister, Rev Mary Lu Palmer (Bill) of Buda, TX; his children: Michael A Grenia (Debbie) of Dunsford, Ontario, Canada; David L Grenia of Georgetown, TX; and Laura L Baker (Gregg) of Monticello, WI. He is also survived by grandchildren Lily Baker, Gabrielle Baker, Skye Baker, Andrew Grenia, Joshua Grenia, Jacob Grenia, and step-grandson Griffin Baker.

Interment of ashes will be held privately at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434