- John Paul Bricco, 91, Green Bay, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 20, 2016. He was born on June 30, 1925, in White Lake, WI to Leo and Mabel (Oleson) Bricco.
John attended St. Mary's Grade School and graduated from Bear Creek High School, Class of 1944. In 1945, he was drafted during WWII. John served in the U.S. Marine Corps for a short time before he was given an honorable discharge.
Mr. Bricco continued his education at the Outagamie County Teachers College in Kaukauna, WI and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Certificate as a Reading Specialist from UW-Oshkosh. John started his teaching career in 1952 with the first four years as an upper elementary teacher and principal at Embarrass State Grade School, Embarrass, WI. He taught at Clintonville Junior High School for eight years before moving to the Green Bay area in 1964 to take a teaching position at the Allouez Junior High School. John earned his Masters of Reading Degree in 1969 from UW-Madison and did post-graduate studies in reading at UW-Oshkosh, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University in Utah. From 1978 until his retirement in 1986, he served as the K-12 Reading Supervisor for the Green Bay Area Public Schools. As a staff member for UW-Oshkosh, Mr. Bricco taught reading practicum classes in the Green Bay area. John also had several articles published in the Wisconsin Educational Association Journal and the Wisconsin State Reading Association Journal.
John was a member of the Greater Bayland Reading Council, holding the offices of Treasurer, Vice President, and President and was a member of the Brown County Foster Parent Association. Mr. Bricco was an active parishioner of St. Jude Parish. He participated in the Bible Study, enjoyed his involvement with the children's Summer Bible School and served as a member of the Board of Education for St. Jude Parochial School.
John worked in the restaurant field as a young man, starting out in his hometown of Bear Creek. He then moved to Green Bay where he enjoyed being the "breakfast chef" at the Beaumont Hotel and as the chef at Chambers Island in Door County. John worked six summers as the "head cook" for the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Bear Paw, to finance his education.
As a young boy, John remembers sitting on the front porch and listening to his mother do "chording" on the piano and singing. This is no doubt started him with his life-long love of music in which he became an accomplished organ and piano player. He was the Director of Music for the Green Bay Elks and was the church choir director at his hometown parish. For many years, John would entertain at ManorCare and Santa Maria nursing homes with some good old fashion sing-alongs. He didn't stop there! John was known as "The Music Man" to his friends at Woodside Manor II which was his home since 2011.
He is survived by foster sons: Joe (Bonnie) Phillips, Green Bay, and their daughters, Valeri, Laura, Kendra, and Hayley; Russ Woitula, Montello, WI and his children, Christopher, Abraham, Olivia, Caleb and Eve.
"Grandpa John, thank you for all the love and attention you gave us. We will miss you!"
John is also survived by brother and sister-in-law, Loy and Lorraine Bricco, Bear Creek; his vast list of life-long friends, as well as his extended family of nieces and nephews: Bobbie Browne, Sue Piton, Margaret Demerath, Dan Van Adestine, Donna Morrow, Renee Werner, Holly Bergner, Rick Mathewson, Lynn Heezen, Scott Mathewson, Mary Toellner, Joe Mathewson, Pat Hanke, Jim Bricco, Cathy Raemer, Linda Crandell, Bev Hendren, Jerry Lorge, Jack Lorge, Tyler Lorge, Don Lorge, Judy Lundberg, JoAnn Brook, Cleo Ware, Jack Martin, Sandy Wanta, Randy Bricco, Lyle Bricco, Sharon Hume, Les Bricco.
John was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother and sister, Joseph and Zelda; his siblings and their spouses, Domain (Eunice) Bricco, Fern (John) Lorge, Leonard (Margie) Bricco, Gladys (John) Martin, Irene (Robert) Van Adestine, Florence (Robert) Mathewson; and nephews, Larry Bricco and Leroy Lorge.
John's family will receive relatives and friends at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1420 Division St. Green Bay, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 23. The Mass of Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with Rev. Donald Everts officiating. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
"I would like to thank Sue (Van Adestine) Piton - my business representative who helped me with my general finances, scheduling/taking me to appointments and especially the countless things she did for me during her weekly visits. I would like to gratefully recognize Margaret (Van Adestine) Demerath - my beloved niece nurse for her caring help with my medical decisions. Thanks also go to Bobbie (Van Adestine) Browne who was always there when I needed her."
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent from July 21 to July 23, 2016
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1925 - 2016 (91 years)
Education - High School
