Marion "Andy" Andrew Wawiorka

Racine- Marion Andrew “Andy” Wawiorka, 66, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, with his family at his side. Andy was born in Racine on June 1, 1942 to the late Theodore and Josephine (nee: Mikolajczyk) Wawiorka. After attending St. Catherine’s High School, Andy faithfully served our Country with the United States Army in Vietnam as a medic. On October 21, 1967 in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Penny Elaine (nee: Brucker). A Local 108 Union Contract Painter (and past president) for over 40 years, Andy took pride in helping paint many popular buildings in Racine. He also owned / operated Andy’s…Now Yer Talk’n Tavern on Washington Avenue in Uptown Racine and 7th Pocket Family Billiards. Andy was a professional pool player, who won many trophies from tournaments in Wisconsin, Las Vegas & Playboy Club…just to name a few and played on teams with famous pool experts such as George Pawelski & Willie Munson. Among his other interests, Andy loved to play the lottery and go to the dog track, he enjoyed listening to music, especially Frank Sinatra, & watching classic movies. Andy will be remembered for his extreme generosity. He leaves us owing nobody but a lot of people owing him! Andy was a very kind, patient and hardworking family-man who had an extraordinarily detailed memory for names & dates. He had an infectious & funny sense of humor. He loved to laugh & have a great time. Above all, he was an amazing husband & father and treasured nothing more than being in the surroundings of his entire family. Andy will be deeply missed by the countless lives he touched in his lifetime. Surviving are his loving wife of over 41 years, Penny; their four children (of whom Andy cherished), Stephanie (Mike) Prescott, Cheryl (Brian) Chapman, Andrea Wawiorka and Andrew Wawiorka; grandchildren, Crystal & Callista Chapman, and was anxiously awaiting the birth of his third grandchild in May; mother-in-law, Elvira Brucker; brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and other special relatives and also many friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to his parents, Andy was preceded in death by his sisters, Teresa (Carl) Kirkorian, Cecilia Vobeda & Victoria (Joseph) Zagame; brothers, Ted and Victor Wawiorka; and father-in-law, Donald Brucker Sr., and brother-in-law Donald Brucker Jr. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 10 am with Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at the Veterans cemetery in Union Grove. Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Sunday from 3-6 pm and on Monday from 9-10 am. A heartfelt note of thanks to the doctors, nurses and entire staff of Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Emergency Room and ICU, especially Keith RN, for trying to save our beloved Andy’s life; and to Chaplain Martin for the compassionate support extended to our family in our time of need. “When I leave you do not weep for me. Pass the wine around & remember how my laughing pleased you. Look at one another smiling, sing the songs that I liked best and dance one last time all together. As for me, I’ll be off, somewhere shooting pool or making someone laugh. Fly me to the Moon, let me play among the stars, When you are ready; I’ll be there – waiting for you. Take your time.”