Joseph Holvick

1930 - 2016

Holvick, Joseph

Joseph Holvick, age 85, of Fond du Lac, died Sunday, December 18, 2016 at his residence. He was born on December 31, 1930 in Washburn, WI, the son of Adolph and Barbara (Swader) Holvick. Joe served in the United States Army during the Korean War and also played football for the Army. On August 13, 1966 he married Patricia Marchant at St. Joseph's Church in Fond du Lac. Joe attended UW-Superior and played running back on the football team. He earned two Masters Degrees and went on to a career as a teacher and guidance counselor for forty-two years.

Joe was known for his love of family and friends, his wit and humor, his story telling, his dressing up as Santa Claus and surprising multiple families and their children throughout the years. He was a selfless man who would do anything for anyone. He was an athlete, coach, teacher, and loved to dance.

Joe was involved in many things and spent his life in sports. He played baseball for the Fond du Lac Red Sox, a semi-pro baseball team. Joe also played softball and basketball and was a long jump skier. He coached football, tennis, hockey, baseball, basketball, and softball for youth and adults at St. Mary's Springs, UW- Oshkosh, UW- Superior and throughout Fond du Lac . He was a WIAA official for baseball, basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and football for over fifty years. He volunteered for the Special Olympics, served on the Board of Directors for ten years for boys baseball and six years for Babe Ruth, he was influential in organizing Goodrich Freshman Baseball, he coached defensive backs/scout team at UW-Oshkosh, he was an assistant coach for the basketball college all-star traveling team that toured Europe, he organized and coached the first Fond du Lac Rock River Baseball Team and the first UW-Fond du Lac Baseball Team. Joe started the Fond du Lac Youth Baseball Program along with his wife Patty, for six, seven, and eight year olds. He was also an Elks member for over forty years.

Survivors include his wife Patty of Fond du Lac; three sons, David (Kristy) Holvick, Dan (Stephanie) Holvick, and Doug Holvick (Jen Thomma); seven grandchildren, Alyx, Aliyah, Emma, Hawk, Kane, Xander, and Espen; one sister Delores Will; one sister-in-law, Georgia Holvick; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Marvin (Darlene), and Tom; two sisters, Barbara (Frank) DeMasi, and Shirley (Ken) Leisman.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 5-7 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Visitation will take place at the church on Friday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 200 S. Peters Ave, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Cremation has taken place and interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in the spring. Trier-Puddy American Legion Post #75 Firing Squad will conduct Military Honors at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe's name may be directed to Fondy Youth Baseball, 85 Morningside Dr, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, towards the building of the Lakeside Park Youth Baseball Complex.

Guestbook and tribute wall may be found by visiting www.ueckerwitt.com.