John C. Shabaz

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Nathan Hale High School University of Wisconsin

John Shabaz Obituary

Shabaz, John C. Madison - John C. Shabaz, senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, passed away on August 31, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Judge Shabaz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 25, 1931, the son of Cyrus D. and Harriet T. (Bottrell) Shabaz. He was a graduate of Nathan Hale High School and the University of Wisconsin. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. Shabaz joined his father's West Allis law practice upon graduating from Marquette Law School in 1957. In 1964 he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He served as Republican Floor Leader from 1973 until 1981, when he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a Federal District Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin. On September 6, 1986, John married Patricia Doughty, formerly of Horicon. Together they raised two children, Emily and John. Upon taking senior status in 2009 Shabaz was able to spend more time at his beloved Okauchee Lake where he continued to pursue his favorite pastimes of swimming, boating and fishing. He also loved walking the beach for hours and hours at his vacation spot in Highland Beach, Florida. Judge Shabaz shared the feelings attributed to Theodore Roosevelt in his poem "I Choose Not To Be A Common Man". (google it). Judge Shabaz is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Patty of Madison, his children; Scott, Jeff, Emily, and John, two sisters; Joanne (Wint) Gilman of Hendersonville, NC and Mary (Jim) Maiorano of New Berlin, nieces and nephews. He is further survived by two sheepshead clubs in West Allis and Madison with members of questionable skill and many other treasured relatives, friends and colleagues. John was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Esther Doughty Luckhardt of Horicon. Funeral services will be at EASTSIDE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2310 Independence Lane, Madison, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at 4:00 PM with Reverend Glen Schmiege officiating. A visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 2:00 PM until the time of services. A private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Eastside Lutheran School are welcome or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Waunakee Manor for the loving care and attention given to John. You are truly a special group of people. We will dearly miss this uncommon man! Cress Funeral Home 3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison 608-249-6666 www.cressfuneralservice.com

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sep. 2, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for John Shabaz

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5 Entries

John Kenney

March 3, 2013

A man of strong Conservative standards who guided & coached those who came to his bench.

paul breitnauer

September 4, 2012

hi patty, my heartfelt condolences. requiescat in pace! sincerely,

Sandra Waters-Schuler

September 4, 2012

I am very sadden by the loss of Judge Shabaz. I met Judge Shabaz through work appr.1995 in Milwaukee. I was the one and only female federal bailiff and I was to be his bailiff. I was warned about what he expected from me and how he ran the courtroom. I was so nervous. The courtroom was run at a fast pace and there was no tolerance for mistakes or being ill-prepared by the attorneys. I was in awe. The Judge was brilliant on the statutes and so knowledgable. Then I transferred to Madison and was frequently a bailiff for Judge Shabaz. I was even more nervous. But the Judge was fair, firm, stern and fast paced in the courtroom. He was so gifted and a great listener. He worked hard and very,very long hours in the courtroom. But sometimes, the Judge would scold an attorney,and I would smile and snicker. The Judge loved that so much, he frequently would make comments and deliberately look me, which made me only snicker more. He would smile at me then. He had such a sense of humor and a funny way of scolding. The Judge had memorizing skills that were astonishing, He had the finest mind, skilled with his words, compassionate, stern, diligent, quick witted, funny, hard working and a great listener. In court, sometimes, he would take off his glasses, hold them in his mouth, looking off in the distance, as though he had something else on his mind, but no, he was planning his next questions and strategies. He was a pure delight to watch. He was very funny, with his choice of words when he became annoyed by an attorney. He knew I would be snickering in court . He was very intelligent and was always well prepared for court. He was a pure pleasure to watch in court. I great respected, admired and thoroughly enjoyed being a bailiff for the Judge. I believe he was the finest federal judge we have had in a long time, in Milwaukee and Madison. I am very saddened by his passing. And after court, the Judge would happily talk about his family, about John and what he was up to in school, their vacations, or plans. He was so excited to talk about his family. I loved hearing his stories. I will fondly look back. He will be greatly missed. What a brilliant and great man.

Lou Ann Mantei

September 3, 2012

Patty, Know that I am thinking of you. Remember how, when we were children and close friends, we dreamed of who we would marry. My the memories of John linger forever in your heart.I am very sorry for your loss.

Joyce Baker Brown

September 2, 2012

Celebrate a life well lived. Patty, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Joyce Baker Brown

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