Daniel John "Captain Dan" Brielmaier

1954 - 2021

Daniel John "Captain Dan" Brielmaier obituary, 1954-2021

Daniel John "Captain Dan" Brielmaier

1954 - 2021

BORN

1954

DIED

2021

Daniel Brielmaier Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Heritage Funeral Home – Milwaukee from Jan. 11 to Jan. 12, 2022.

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Captain Dan set sail on cosmic winds December 16, 2021 at 12:35 pm his life and legend only eclipsed by the Great Lake he navigated so swiftly.

Dan was proceeded in death by his father and mother, George Brielmaier and Rita Abel and his dear brother Tom Brielmaier. He leaves behind his siblings, Patti Abel, Steve Brielmaier and Betsy Brielmaier Gilmore, his nieces and nephews, Amy (Ryan) Watson, Ashley (Nick) Lisowski, Maggie Piotrzkowski, Morgan Piotrzkowski, Zeric Cadiz, Betsy Brielmaier and Zach Brielmaier and grand nephews Ian Watson and Lucas Lisowski as well as a league of great friends, crew and competitors.

Dan was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin where he graduated from Custer High School in 1972. He bought his home in Riverwest in 1977 where he became a well recognized and respected member of the community. He grew his painting contracting company, Brielmaier Painting, there and in the surrounding area, which he proudly owned and operated for over 40 years.

Though Dan made Milwaukee his home, he was a world traveler and spent many of the winter months abroad, most often in his favorite destination, Thailand. He had many other interests as well including music, amassing a vast collection of records and cassettes. He was an avid Bucks fan who was fortunate to watch them win two NBA National Championships, calling the 2021 series some of the most exciting sports he had ever witnessed. And of course, his greatest passion was sailing his beloved sailboat, Amok.

As one of the longest members of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, Dan rarely missed an opportunity get out on the water and enjoy the competition and camaraderie it provided. As recently as last summer, he still regularly Captained his beloved sailboat, Amok, in the Friday evening MAST race series. He also helped crew on other boats in the Wednesday evening race series at South Shore Yacht Club. Dan loved competing in, and often winning, the annual Quarter Barrel and Dolphin races as well. Captain Dan was not only a summer seasonal racing sailor. He accomplished the Holy Grail of sailors by leading his crews in sailing Lake Michigan every month of the year, including the incredible January 1, 2000 sail through the ice to the Polar Plunge at Bradford Beach! All the sailors who knew him will sorely miss the regular vision of him and his crew standing next to Amok after a race, next to the Sailing Center cranes, drinking a Pabst and recounting the race in his curmudgeonly, yet good spirited way.

Everyone called Dan Captain because that is what he was. He was the Captain of his world. He charted his own course and answered to no one. He worked when he wanted to. Sailed when he wanted to. Made friends when he wanted to. Nobody told Dan what to do, or how to do it. If Dan listened to you, it was his choice.

Dan's strength was his independence and his beauty was in his ability to enjoy what he had. Family that loved him, good friends, a good boat, and a life course that he charted himself. Sail on Captain.

A memorial for Captain Dan will be held at Wolski's Tavern, 1836 N Pulaski Street, Milwaukee WI on January 16, 2022 beginning at 2pm. A ceremony to spread his ashes will follow later in the Spring with details to be determined. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made in his honor to a charity of your choosing.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Karen Meyer

January 15, 2022

RIP Dan. We will miss your strong independent spirit & sarcasm. As a crew member on US 594, we swept up those trophies & as you told me, "We have immortality because our names are forever engraved on the quarterbarrel trophy at the Sailing Center." You will always be in our hearts.

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