Thomas "Coach T" Taraska

Tom "Coach T" Taraska
Age 71, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 15, 2023. He was born on January 3, 1952, to Thomas and Elizabeth Taraska (Zorn), both deceased.
Tom was a beloved husband to Sue Anne Taraska (Negendank) for 41 years. He is survived by his brother, James Tennis, two nephews, Abraham Tennis and Jordan Tennis, mother-in-law Loraine Negendank, brother-in-law Scott (Sandy) Negendank, sister-in-law Patti (John) McCool, and two nieces Amy Ewy (Matt) and Kelly Martin (Nicholaus). Tom was preceded in death by his brother Raymond Taraska.
Tom was a graduate of West Allis Hale High School where he participated in football and track. He received his BS in Education from UW-Oshkosh and his MS in Education from UW-Whitewater. He was a member of the UW-Oshkosh football team and earned four varsity letters between 1971-1975. He was part of the WIAC Championship team in 1972.
Tom had a passion for coaching football and enjoyed teaching young adults. He was a strong role model and mentor to many of his athletes and students. Tom began his career at Franklin High School as a head football coach and physical education teacher.
Tom continued his teaching and coaching career at Arrowhead High School from 1982 to 2010. As head coach, his teams achieved four WIAA Division I state championships (1993, 1994, 1996, and 2007), and five WIAA Division I state runners-up (2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2008). His overall record was 265-96. Throughout his high school football coaching career, he was a three-time Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Area Coach of the Year (1993, 2002, and 2007) and Associated Press State High School Coach of the Year (2007).
Tom was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame (2004) and UW-Oshkosh Athletic Hall of Fame (2008). In addition, he also earned the UW-Oshkosh Distinguished Alumni Award (2011) and the Russ Young Leadership and Achievement Award (2013).
During his leisure time, Tom enjoyed taking walks, reading, spending time with his dogs and driving his MG car. He loved traveling, especially going on cruises and relaxing at the beaches in Naples, Florida. He loved socializing with friends and reminiscing over their football glory days.
Funeral Visitation will be on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at St. John Vianey Catholic Church, 1755 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield beginning at 10:00 AM with Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 PM. Private Interment with family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to St. Luke's Medical Center for Cardiovascular Research in Milwaukee, WI, https://secure.aahgiving.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5052&mfc_pref=T&5052.donation=form1.
A public "Celebration of Life" will be held at Taraska Stadium on October 29, 2023, at 11:00 AM.
"Your Life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words and missed forever and always."
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