Edward G. Jackamonis

Found peace on Sun., Jan. 22, 2006 at the age of 66 years, after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. He died surrounded by family and friends. Ed leaves behind his loving wife of 43 years, Barbara, his beloved children, April (Jackamonis) Sutrick, and Jason Jackamonis, and the apple of his eye, his sweet grandson Jack Sutrick, who will dearly miss his beloved "Pop." Dear brother of Constance (Jackamonis) Vogell. Grateful father-in-law of Neal Sutrick. Further survived by two nieces, Heather (Vogell) Stobbe and Alison Vogell, and friends too numerous to count.

Ed was born Oct. 19, 1939 in New Britain, CT to Edward G. Jackamonis Sr., whose parents immigrated to the USA from Lithuania, and Sophie (Horosik) Jackamonis, whose parents were Polish immigrants. His humble beginnings, he's said, were his catalyst for success: Ed was brought up in the heart of New Britain's Polish community in a 3-family house (without central heat!), and graduated from New Britain High School in 1957. He went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Northeastern University in Boston with a BA in Political Science in 1962. During his freshman year at Northeastern, he met Barbara, a classmate, and they married Aug. 26, 1962. Their honeymoon was spent driving to Madison, WI where Ed could continue his education. After receiving his Master's Degree in Political Science, he accepted a teaching position at the brand new UW-Waukesha campus, which he filled for 4 years. He was increasingly drawn into local politics while at UW-Waukesha, by the turmoil of the times, particularly the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. In 1970, he ran for a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly and after squeaking out a victory, an underdog Democrat in a Republican district, he was easily re-elected to five subsequent terms. His crowning achievement in the legislature occurred in 1976 when his colleagues elected him Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, a position he held for 3 consecutive terms. After the addition of his 2 children, Ed left the Assembly in 1982, and was appointed by Governor Tony Earl to be the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Housing Finance Authority (WHFA). Under his leadership, WHFA was transformed into the current organization, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). He ran WHEDA until 1988 when he took a position in Albany, NY as the Directory of the New York State Assembly Program Development Group. In 1991, Ed and his family returned to Wisconsin this time to Milwaukee where Ed filled several positions with the City of Milwaukee until his retirement in 1999. During his retirement, he often marveled at how he possibly found the time to work, and took up the hobby of researching his genealogy. His last 2½ years were mainly spent enjoying his cherished grandson, Jack, who was his greatest joy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Sat., Jan. 28 at 11 AM at ST. WILLIAMS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. Visitation at the Church from 10 AM until time of service. Visitation also held on Friday, Jan. 27 from 6-8 PM at CHURCH AND CHAPEL, 380 W. Bluemound Rd., Waukesha.

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, Ed requested that donations be made to the Jackamonis Family and Friends Foundation, c/o Barbara Jackamonis, 5426 W. Andover Rd., Milwaukee, 53219.

CHURCH AND CHAPEL

(262)549-0659

Rudolph-Larsen Brothers

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