John F. Starich

Starich, John F. Passed away on June 11, 2006, surrounded by his family and a good friend in his home in Lodi, WI. John handled his fight with cancer with quiet dignity and courage. John was born November 27, 1951 in Milwaukee, WI to John and Maureen Bengert Starich.

John was raised in Cudahy, WI and graduated from Cudahy High School in 1969 where he played both football and basketball. His father acquainted him with the outdoors and John's love for hunting and fishing only grew stronger over the course of his life. After high school, John briefly attended college at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, then joined the Army Reserves where he served from 1970-1974.

John enjoyed seeing the country as a long-haul truck driver for some time before acquiring a job at Milwaukee Valve, where he worked for 13 years. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Rose. The two married in 1979 in Milwaukee and then moved to the company's new location in Praire du Sac. The move to the Lake Wisconsin area was a "dream come true" for John, since it brought him to the country where he could more deeply enjoy his passion for hunting and fishing, and also raise his family with Rose. He spent the last 17 years working at the Fall River Foundry and living in Lodi. John was a hard worker who earned the respect of his superiors, co-workers and friends alike.

John was a colorful character with a great many friends throughout Wisconsin and beyond. He could be an intimidating man due to his size and temperament, but once he was someone's friend, there was no better friend. He put family and friends first, and worked very hard to provide a stable upbringing for his three children. In addition to being a coach for various youth sports, John never hesitated to invite friends and their families to join him in fishing or hunting, and always offered kindly advice to novices in either. John was an expert shot and there are many stories of his outstanding marksmanship.

John's love of having a good time extended from square-dancing in the middle of nowhere in the earliest morning hours to bottle dancing; from bluegrass music to thoroughly enjoying a beer while watching the Brewers; from rescuing his sister from a capsized canoe in the middle of the night to the annual Memorial Day parties; from drinking shots with his Dad to exceeding the speed limit in his various sports cars; from watching "The Magnificent Seven" to taking his family hunting and fishing with him; and to solitary days hunting in the woods of Wisconsin. John had a special talent for living in the moment. John admired the following passage: "Duck hunting is not at all about shooting ducks. It is about being there. The whole package. Immersing yourself in the outdoors, enjoying the weather and the fellowship, grabbing hold of the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feeling the experience. The hunting gestalt, if you will."

For those who knew him, John will be remembered for his passion for the outdoors, his firm convictions, his devotion to his family and his numerous friends whom he valued very much.

John was preceded in death by his father, John A. Starich. He is survived by his wife, Rose, children Andrew Starich, Amanda Starich and John Raymond Starich; his mother Maureen Starich of Cudahy, WI; sisters Candice Littmann of Cudahy, WI, Sandra Hurani of Milwaukee, WI and brother Michael (Cheryl) Starich of Round Rock, Texas; and numerous nephews and nieces, throughout Wisconsin and Texas.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2PM on Saturday, June 17, 2006, at the HAMRE FUNERAL HOME in Lodi. Friends may call from 12 noon until the service. Our family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Holen, Tammie, Sara and the staff at UW Hospital Oncology Clinic and to Home Health United Hospice for their comfort and care.

HAMRE FUNERAL HOME Lodi (608)592-3201