Joseph Peter Turecek

Joseph P. Turecek died unexpectedly Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at the age of 65.

Joe is survived by his wife of nineteen years, Lisa (nee Carini), and was a proud and loving father to their children, George Joseph and Marla Grace. Joe is also survived by his beloved children Desi, husband Justin Nault, grandson Gabe; Niki, husband Kyle Sommer, grandsons Theo and James; Dani and her special friend Steven Kueffer; and Joe, wife Megan, granddaughters Addison and Jocelyn. Joe is also survived by his brother Mike and sister-in-law Judy, of Arizona; in-laws Cosmo and Margaret Carini, sister-in-law Maria Carini; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Special friends from Shorewood High School days, Chip Parsley and Phil Wettengel, and many others; and his great friend and neighbor Jim (Mari Jo) Miller. Joe is preceded in death by his sister Babs Terry, and his parents Joseph and Elizabeth (Santner) Turecek.

Joe was born on June 24, 1954 in Milwaukee, WI. He spent many years traveling and living between Milwaukee and Pickerel, WI. Jay, or JP, to most of his family or origin and Northern Wisconsin friends, loved to be in the wooded areas of Wisconsin, both hunting and enjoying nature. He was a ‘closet survivalist’, who knew how to make the most of whatever was at hand. Joe graduated from Shorewood High School, and soon joined the United States Navy. He was trained during that service as a Boiler Technician, and went on to work in International Service for Clever Brooks and other companies until retiring in 2001. Joe then had a custom food cart built and operated it on the East Side from 2002-2004. He fast became affectionately known as “Fat Joe” and spent many a night talking to bar-goers and keeping them well-fed. As soon as his son George was born, he parked the cart for the last time.

Joe had the ultimate gift of gab. He could, and would, talk to anyone, anywhere. Everyone would come away from those chats, after many laughs, likely having learned something new as well. He enjoyed many meals at the Carini home, annual family vacations in Door County, and being with his George and Marla- enjoying listening to them play their instruments, spending time watching videos and shows they enjoyed together, playing games on family game nights and many more special moments; long and frequent conversations, and visits with his adult children and his grandchildren that were filled with smiles and more stories. Joe seemed to know something about every topic, and shared that knowledge whenever possible. Most recently, a favorite pastime was to park outside of Speedway, listening to his favorite political ‘talking heads’ and music, and having a chat with the many people who passed by, many of them ‘regulars’. Joe will forever be missed by so many people.

“Not so Fast, Cowboy”

Family and Friends will gather Saturday February 22, 2020 from 9 AM to 10 AM, with a Memorial Service at 10am at Suminski Family Funeral Home located at 1901 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, WI.

In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established in the names of George and Marla Turecek.

Any donations can made in person at any Summit Credit union Branch, or can be mailed to:

Summit Credit Union

George and Marla Turecek Fund

1709 Landmark Dr.

Cottage Grove, WI 53527