Patrick M. "Pat" Judy

Patrick "Pat" M. Judy of Sturgeon Bay- musician, father, brother, and NFL team owner- passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Door County Medical Center. He was best known locally as a founding member of Big Mouth, a dynamic fusion band performing originals and covers across the genres of rock, blues, funk, and jazz. He was 76 years old.

Pat was born on August 19, 1949 in Mansfield, Ohio; the son of the late Mahlon and Anna (Bayer) Judy. He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1967, and served in the Air National Guard. His musical journey began at age four when he was given his first set of brushes, and by high school, he was performing in every musical ensemble available to him. At age 13, Pat got his first paying gig playing at the local Liederkranz Hall, filling in for the band's sick drummer. Immediately, his passion became his profession, and from that point forward, he would never stop entertaining crowds with live music. With bands Smile and Quest, he went on a nine-year nationwide tour, bringing the funk to 32 states.

His mother remarried to Duncan Thorp and retired to the village of Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Pat fell in love with Door County during his visits, and in 1987, he met Paul Sowinski, who asked him to sit in with his Off-Center Jazz Band. When Paul offered him a regular drumming job, he followed his heart, took the gig and moved with his wife to the county seat, Sturgeon Bay. Pat instilled his own love for Door County (and the Green Bay Packers) into the hearts of his two children, who treasure their memories of summers in Fish Creek there as much as their inherited passion and talent for music.

Now at home in Door County, Pat was able to lend his talents to myriad regional ensembles, including Peninsula Players, American Folklore Theatre, Blue Circle Theatre, and the Swing Time Big Band. He is, however, best known for delighting audiences all over Wisconsin as the drummer for Big Mouth, a quartet formed by Pat, Paul, Jay Whitney, and Woody Mankowski, which set a new pace on the trail blazed by Off-Center and The Amnesians. Big Mouth ultimately evolved into the mighty, eleven-piece and the Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns - an act that's still in high demand today.

Even while residing for the past few years in assisted care, Pat continued to deliver great musical performances, sitting in on gigs at various local venues. At the nursing facility, he offered regular concerts featuring his brother and friends, striking his final downbeat less than two weeks before he was called home. The drums are now silent, but his song continues through the 60-year gift of music that he shared with his family, his friends, and over a million listeners and fans.

Pat is survived by his life partner, Dawn Foxx of Sturgeon Bay, WI; his children, Matthew Judy (Aimee) of Dublin, OH, and Kera Judy (Metney Jensen) of Moore, ID; his brother, Mike Judy (April Pate) of Sturgeon Bay, WI; his niece, Ariel Pate (Josh Nelson); Dawn's children, Curt Foxx (Elizabeth) of Los Angeles, CA, and Cary Foxx (Rachel) of Champaign, IL; four grandchildren, and countless friends and bandmates.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Pat's life on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Huehns Funeral Home from 12:00–3:00 p.m., with a message to be delivered by Chaplain John Hauser at 2:30 p.m. Pat will be interred at the Thorp family plot at Blossomberg Cemetery.

Pat and Dawn give their heartfelt thanks to the staff and doctors of the Door County Medical Center and the Pete and Jelaine Horton Center Skilled Nursing Facility for the care and compassion they have shown to Pat and his family for the past five years.

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Pat may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to The Make-A-Wish Foundation at wish.org/donate.