Raymond Kolesar

Ray Kolesar, 60, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, at his home in the company of his beloved family, friends and dogs after a two-year battle with cancer.

Born Raymond Francis Kolesar in Ironwood, Mich., on Oct. 12, 1950, Ray was the only child of Frank M. Kolesar and Betty (Kavinsky) Kolesar. Ray's father and two stepbrothers (Robert and Jack) preceded him in death.

As a child, Ray attended St. Ambrose Catholic High School where he was an altar boy, homecoming king and captain of the basketball team. He grew up on the local golf course and became an accomplished golfer, scoring his first hole-in-one at the age of 11. He garnered many tournament championship wins including the prestigious UPGA.

He attended Ferris State University and Northern Michigan University. Just prior to graduating from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree, he married the love of his life, Patricia Nolan of Monroe, Mich., in November of 1972. They had one son, R. Travis Kolesar.

After graduation from college Ray, worked as a golf pro before changing his vocation interest to finance and insurance. He worked for ITT Financial Services from the mid-seventies until 1984; first as a branch manager and later as a regional manager. He moved to Wisconsin Rapids to open the Kolesar Agency for American Family Insurance. Later, he joined his friends Tim Fehrenbach and Jim Mogg as an agent in their company. He worked with them until his health forced him to retire.

Ray enjoyed showing dogs, music, cooking, crafting, the Packers and March Madness, but his dogs, music and cooking were his passion. Ray traveled the country for 39 years exhibiting his Tupelo Golden Retrievers, English Cockers, Beagles, Pugs and Brussels Griffons. He was a member of several national dog clubs and had been honored by Purina and the Santa Barbara Kennel Club as the top toy breeder of the year in 2010. He also received the Pug Dog Club of America/Ken L Ration Good Sportsmanship Award. His favorite dogs, Champion Wisselwood Myrtle Beech and Wisselwood Lily Dearest, both preceded him in death but will rest with him. When not at a dog show, you could find Ray at home working on his wood carvings, leather tooling, cooking up a gourmet meal for his friends with his favorite tunes blasting at Mach ten. Ray was fanatical about his Packers, Badgers, March madness, the Masters Tournament and deer camp with the boys.

He was most proud of his only child, Raymond Travis Kolesar. Ray's only goal upon learning of his disease was "to dance at Travis and Nicole's wedding", which he did in May of 2010.

Ray leaves behind his wife of 39 years, Patti; his son, Travis, and daughter-in-law, Nicole, (Paider) of Green Bay; his mother, Betty; father-in-law, William Nolan Sr. of Monroe, Mich.; brother-in-law, William Nolan Jr., and wife, Barbara, of Temperance, Mich.; sister-in-law, Nancy Nolan of Monroe, Mich.; three nephews Matthew, Rob and Jerry Nolan; his "adopted" granddaughter, Becca Hagen of Eagle; his many wonderful "dog" friends and his four-legged favorites, Boo, Rosa, Mr. Blak, Axel Rose and Tee.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, with a service to follow at 1 p.m., at Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Take the Lead www.takethelead.org, or Hope Lodge, Marshfield www.cancer.org.