John Abromaitis

1915 - 2014

Abromaitis, John J.



John J. Abromaitis, Jr., age 98, passed away January 1, 2014 at Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls, where he had been a resident for the past year and a half.

John was born in Sheboygan on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1915, a son of John P. and Agnes (Rinkewicz) Abromaitis. At age 5, the family moved to South Tenth Street, Sheboygan, where John resided for the next 92 years. John attended Sheboygan Business College. He served in the U.S. Naval Service during WWII from 1943-1946 as a Carpenter's Mate First Class on a floating dry dock in the Asian Pacific area. On April 26, 1947, John married Loretta Rommelfaenger at St. Dominic Church in Sheboygan. John worked as a Cabinet Maker at Ebenreiter Woodworking Co., Pantzer Lumber Co., and Woodcraft, Inc. After retirement, John worked at Sheboygan County Woodworking Company.

John was an extremely skilled craftsman, building his own 19' Lightning sailboat in his garage. In addition, he crafted keepsake jewelry boxes, desks, dressers, book shelves, and much more, each item being perfect and one-of-a-kind. In recent years, his hobby had been building decorative birdhouses; each one more unique than the next. He could build or repair anything and everything, usually by handcrafting a certain part rather than purchasing it. A founding member of The Bachelor Club, John was a member for almost 70 years; as well as a Knights of Columbus member for over 60 years. Being a member of both Immaculate Conception Church and St. Peter Claver Church over the years, John and his wife were choir members at both. He was an Active Life Emeritus member of the Sheboygan Yacht Club, having joined in 1937. In his never-ending quest for more knowledge, John had been an avid reader and loved to travel. He was proud to say he traveled to every state (except Alaska and Texas). But first and foremost, John cherished time with his family. He also enjoyed stamp collecting, fishing at Sand Bay, golfing, playing cards, gardening, mushroom picking, and feeding the birds. Up until a few years ago, there was nothing that could stop John from his love of puttering in the basement and garage.

John is survived by three children: Jane Abromaitis of Sheboygan, Allen (Beth) Abromaitis of Oak Creek, and Lucy (Kurt) Kaker of Verona; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother, Norbert Abromaitis, and sister-in-law, Joyce Rommelfaenger, both of Sheboygan; and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife Leddie in 1995; son Mark in December 2013; two sisters, Anella Abromaitis and Adele Jordan; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sheboygan, with Fr. Dan Lasecki presiding. Family and friends may call at the church, 1305 Humboldt Ave. from 11:00 until the time of Mass. A private burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in John's name to Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls, or Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com

John's family would like to extend their gratitude to Meals on Wheels, and Home Instead Senior Care, whose services allowed John to stay in his beloved home until age 97. John's close neighbors also kept a watchful eye on him, and the family is forever grateful. They are also thankful for the wonderful care John received at Pine Haven while he was a resident there, where staff and others affectionately referred to him as "The Candy Man."