Bernard L. Totsky

Bernard L Totsky, age 84, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025, at home with family present. Bernie was born in Milwaukee on May 2, 1941, to Gustave and Bernie Totsky (Piek). He graduated from Washington High School in June 1959. Bernie engaged in building and repairing radios and television sets as a hobby, as well as building a hi-fi stereo system including large reel tape deck, speakers, microphone setup, and record player. He erected a 3-story radio tower to transmit and communicate with other operators across the country. He participated in activities in the Catholic Youth Organization and Young People's Club and chaperoned for younger groups when he was in his twenties. Bernie loved to go cruising in his favorite automobile with his friends and proudly wore Pat Boone white buckskin shoes, dusting them with white powder to keep them spotless. He became self-taught in the building and repair trades including welding, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, and remodeling trades. He also was a self-taught master locksmith. Bern worked at St. Joseph's Hospital, as assistant manager of the laundry department. He was the maintenance man and janitor at St Stephen, Martyr Catholic Church, and drove truck delivering plumbing supplies. Bern was always willing to take on any building project; be it garages, pools, replacing roofs, designing, and completing additions to homes, helping with concrete work, welding and driving dump truck and snow plowing in his father's business. Bern completed small and large projects on large rental properties for a landlord realtor who was a longtime friend of his.
He married Carole Jean Hruska in January 1969, becoming parents to a son Todd Michael and a daughter Kristen Marie. Bernie and Carole were married for 22 years. He worked and retired from Milwaukee Public Schools in 2002 having served in the maintenance of several schools, utilizing his license in the maintenance of large school boiler systems.
Bernie loved to cook and bake, especially for family. He was a committed dog owner. Bernie was a good mechanic always fixing cars. He enjoyed being a Boy Scout Leader when Todd was in grade school. He liked to tell stories, the more humor the better. His love for music prompted him to purchase a church organ and he soon was expressing those talents playing and singing in the choir at St. Stephan.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, as well as his adopted son Todd, his ex-wife Carole Jean, and his brother-in-law Richard Till. His nieces Theresa Antonioni, Cheryl Miller and nephew Kenneth Totsky, and a great-nephew Gustave Totsky V also preceded him in death, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Bernie is survived by his loving daughter Kristen (Quarteds), his siblings, Gustave (Diane), James (Shirley), Edward (Karen) and Marlene. Also surviving him are his grandchildren Destinee (Markell), Quarteds Jr, Adrian Kunda, Taylor Totsky, and his great-grandchildren Misty, Emmy, and his sidekick dog Nicki.
Visitation will be on Saturday, February 28th from 10:30 AM until 12:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:15 PM at Christ King Catholic Church, 2604 N Swan Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53226. In lieu of flowers, financial assistance to defray funeral costs would be appreciated.