Visitation

Saturday, November 30th, from 2-3pm at Heritage Funeral Homes – Suminski/Weiss Chapel (1901 N. Farwell Ave. Milwaukee)

Celebration of Life and Sharing of Memories

Saturday, November 30th, starting at 3pm at Heritage Funeral Homes – Suminski/Weiss Chapel (1901 N. Farwell Ave. Milwaukee)

Jeremy John Mauger

After a 2.5-year heroic fight with cancer, Jeremy Mauger died on Sunday evening, surrounded by family, friends, and good music.

Jeremy leaves behind so many people who love him—which he made very easy to do! His dogged pursuit of his passions in life made him immensely joyful company. He was endlessly curious, always teaching himself new things. He was quick-witted, a delightful storyteller, and always ready to make you laugh. It was never a boring evening when spending time with Jeremy. Whether you knew him for an afternoon or decades, you couldn’t help but be touched by his curiosity and delightful—often self-deprecating—humor.

Long before his diagnosis, Jeremy lived a grateful life. It’s one of the silver linings in the tragedy of a wonderful life cut short. He always pursued his passions, maximized joy, and deeply valued the people he loved. He earned his PhD which fueled his insatiable curiosity and dedication to learning, a testament to his intellect and love for discovery. When he first met his wife, Angela, he immediately recognized a sparkly soul who shared the same deep wonder of the world—plus, she made him laugh deeply. She photobombed him while he was getting a picture taken with friends at a wedding, and when she walked away laughing, he knew he had to ask her out. After a year of long-distance flirtation through writing, along with using every excuse he could to visit her in Milwaukee (mutual friends’ birthdays, concerts, etc.), he took a leap of faith and moved to Milwaukee for grad school—and “to see if he could get the girl.” He wasted no time; they had their first date two days after he moved and got married in Grand Teton National Park on the second anniversary of their first date. Their marriage was absolutely filled with laughter. Not a single day passed without incredibly gut-busting laughter.

With Jeremy, there was nothing that couldn’t be elevated to a whole new level. For example, knowing his son, Jacob, liked treasure hunts, Jeremy turned an entire day of the family vacation into an all-island treasure hunt based on a character he created named Caxambus Pete, complete with worn-out paper clues and messages in bottles. And when he noticed that his daughter, Zoe, shared his passion for music, he regularly taught himself the lyrics to new songs for them to sing at bedtime. These often turned into lovely duets, sometimes with choreography.

Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday. It was filled with all the things he loved. He enjoyed spending time cooking great food for people and delighted in hosting them so they truly felt welcome and comfortable. It is another silver lining that his death anniversary will always be associated with a time for gathering with loved ones, laughter, music, and good food.

Here’s an excerpt from his letter to his children. It’s great advice for all of us, and it’s lovely to read his words:

• Learn everything that you can. Knowing things is its own reward, but it also makes life more interesting. The more you know, the more connections you’ll see in the world. The more connections you see, the more you’ll understand how closely everything and everyone is tied together.
• Be funny. This has been one of the great joys of my life. Making people laugh makes them feel good, and it’ll make you feel good too. Just as important, looking for the funny things around you will help you appreciate how ridiculous, bizarre, and wonderfully flawed we all are. Being funny and laughing will help you cope with the saddest things in life too.
• Listen to good music. Take enjoyment in finding the music that moves YOU! If you get goosebumps from a song or if it makes you dance involuntarily, then it’s good. You’ll be a happier person every time you find one of the songs that has this effect on you!
• Don’t be cynical. It’s all too easy to think that you know everything or, worse, that the world is a mess and doesn’t deserve your interest. Find wonder in your life because there’s nothing mundane or boring about the time we’re given. Trust me, there’s something magical and profound in every moment if you just let yourself find it.

Be happy, love your lives, love each other, and have fun!

In addition to Angela, Jacob, and Zoe, Jeremy leaves behind countless friends who have shown up to share love, laughter, and help in large and small ways—all of which were important—during the last few years; his parents, Karen (Knapp) and John Mauger, who steadfastly supported him throughout his life and showed exceptional love during his cancer battle; his in-laws, David and Christine Fingard, who shared many hysterical moments and absolutely cared for and loved him like a son; his brother Jeff, sister-in-law Jenn, and their incredible kiddos, Alexander and Addison; and an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who will miss him dearly

Please consider honoring Jeremy’s life with a donation to help Angela, Jacob & Zoe as they begin their “2nd life.”

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