Daniel H.
Wilson Jr.
Daniel Harris Wilson, 77 years of age passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 28, 2023. Dan was born in Milwaukee on July 26, 1945 to Mary and Daniel Wilson.
Loving husband of Tina Wilson. Father of Kelly (Quinn) Hanson and Kris (Jamie) Wilson. Grandfather of Bradley, Taylor, Hallie, McKenna, Robert, Roman, Taylor, Hannah, Ella, and Cason.
Dan loved to fish and spend time with his family. You could usually catch him smoking a cigar with an old fashioned in hand. He organized until there was no organization left, the most creative thinker to make broken things work, and the ultimate fix-it man (aka D-Fixer). He was an amazing jokester, wore the best socks, and always was there for all. He adored and cherished his lifelong friendships, you know who you are.
Dan was a proud Air Force veteran, where his talent for cooking began. He supported the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to help support veterans and first responders; the family welcomes donations to T2T in lieu of flowers. Dan will be forever remembered and loved by his family and friends
My sympathies to the family. Dan will be missed.
Will always fondly remember all the good times Tom and I had with our very good friends, Dan and Tina and the fun family trips we took.. Remember the hilarious bowling parties?! I sure will miss Danny!
Love, Carol B.
I’ve known Dan since 7th grade( I think thats when I NOTICED boys) so there are lots of memories but I. will alway be thankful to Dan & Tine for the work they did to start the “Orv’s Reunion” We will be thinking of you looking down on Mattey’s in Aug.
Remembering Danny Wilson
7/26/1946 – 4/28/2023
Dan and I grew up 3 blocks apart. Dan on 31st and Greenfield, I on 32nd and Lapham. Both of our dads owned taverns, but I didn’t know Dan until many years later. We started at Wisconsin Telephone Company on the same day, February 9th 1970, but at different locations. I finally met Dan when he was transferred to the Mitchel Central Office where I worked. We bonded pretty quickly and even more so when we were sent to central office technician classes together for 6 months.
The classes were held in downtown Milwaukee at the Ambassador Hotel. As I write this TV 6 is there,
highlighting the hotel on its 95th anniversary!
One day Dan asked me if I bowled. They needed a substitute bowler. That is when I joined the Jim Altstadt bowling team. The team consisted of Dan, Jim Altstadt, Jim Grzegorek, Phil Wisnewski and I believe John Sams. Tom Boulware joining the team years later. I was 19 and could not legally drink, but I had good teachers! Dan drank brandy and water which he always said that the 1st one tasted like roofing nails, but he drank on! We bowled together for maybe 30 years.
I am the last one of the team left.
On April 7, 1974 we bowled in an end of year bowling tournament at Tri City Lanes in Franklin, now known as Country Lanes Bowling, on Forest Home Avenue. That is the night that I met Karen.
Yet again, Dan influenced my life in a positive way.
One night Jimmy G asked me if I played baseball. That spring, in 1974 I joined the Asches baseball team. I played with Jimmy G and Asches for about 20 years where I gained and retained
many lifelong friends. All by meeting Dan Wilson.
I met a couple of other lifelong friends through Dan at work. Jim Chadek and Jay Podd
both worked at Wisconsin Telephone Company/AT&T.
Then there were the parties that Dan and Tina threw where we met the Meusys and Pikuliks – more lifelong friends. Dan the organizer, planned fishing trips to Florida with his lifelong friend Tom where I met Tom and Mary Jane Murray. We all cruised together in 2000 and then in 2009 we were invited to join the Orv’s Reunion, held yearly. At that time it was held at Amman’s on Lake Denoon.
Karen asking Mary Jane, what is this?
Our careers at Ma Bell included many different positions. With the recommendation of Dan, I was promoted to Supervisor at the Howell Avenue Data Center in Oak Creek. After being laid off when the Pewaukee Data Center was built Dan reminded the Johnson Control Supervisor of me, getting me a job with JCI at the AT&T (Pewaukee Data Center).
Eventually I got my old job back with AT&T after Dan retired.
As time went on Dan and I worked, traveled for work, bowled, fished, drank, vacationed and ate calamari together. We were BFFs! So many stories, I could write a book, but what happens at the bowling alley, in the fishing boat or at Amman’s Bar(s), stays there.
To say Dan influenced my life is a HUGE understatement.
~ Derk Vander Molen, May 2, 2023
Tina,
So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers…
Mark & Kay Simonson
Danny……Your life was a blessing
Your memory a real treasure,
You’re loved beyond words
And missed beyond measure!!!!!!!!