Alan D. Sawitski was born on August 21, 1949, in Oshkosh, the youngest of five children of John H. and Verona M. (Mueller) Sawitski. Alan attended St. Peter's Grade School, Merrill Junior High School, and graduated from Oshkosh High School. He spent his summers at the family cottage on Lake Buttes des Morts. His father passed onto Alan the love of hunting, so it became a pastime he enjoyed with his brothers and father. In the 1960s, Alan was a star baseball pitcher for the Northside Minor Loop League.
For his entire life, he was a member of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Peter Catholic Church. The Catholic church was an important part of his life, and he relied on his faith each and every day.
Alan met Cheryl Rabe while she was cleaning his Uncle Leonard's house. Soon after, he was hooked by her sheepshead counting skills, and they married on March 30, 1979 in Oshkosh.
Employed as an Industrial Maintenance Journeyman Electrician at Rockwell International for 30 years until his retirement in 2002. Alan proudly served as Union President of UAW Local 291 for years, negotiating several contracts on behalf of his union brothers and sisters. All hours of the day, and even in his retirement, he counseled union members because he fundamentally believed in workers' rights and benefits. He was strong in his political beliefs and was well-versed in current and historical events. He took an active role in supporting union beliefs by writing letters to the editor and legislators and attending union functions. On Thursdays, he and his work buddies played horseshoes at South Park.
Because of his inability to sit still and his strong work-ethic, he had several side businesses. Alan owned and operated Zellmer's Laundry. Ironically, every shirt he wore was "pre"- stained. Thirty years ago, he started and ran Weathertite Insulation. At some point, he coerced all of his family members and friends to be employees. Once diagnosed with cancer, he passed this business down to his son. At one time, Alan owned several rental houses and roofed many homes. He believed you had to work hard to play hard and instilled this work ethic into his children.
Alan loved spending time at his cabin in Pembine, Wi. He spent his time hunting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, motorcycling, cutting wood, and fixing things he broke. He enjoyed sharing his log cabin that he built after retirement with family and friends. The cabin was decorated with trophies from his hunting excursions. During the summers there, he organized tubing trips and always brought a "supply ship". Always the host, Alan organized regular social gatherings and holiday parties. Without fail, the 4th of July went off with a bang and sometimes resulted in minor injuries. He was a big kid at heart, and the life of the party. Every once in a while, he loved to pull a prank (especially on his in-laws) or "unknowingly" stir the pot. Alan knew cars inside and out and brought a few old muscle cars back to their glory. Being a skilled and avid card player, he and Cheryl participated in many cribbage tournaments. Alan and Cheryl traveled extensively throughout the United States and foreign countries. At the end of his journey, Alan said he had done 99% of what he wanted and had lived a great life. It is very important to Alan that his family remain close and carry on traditions. Being a sports enthusiast, he hoped that the Brewers would win the World Series and that the Packers would have a good season!
On Saturday morning, October 6th, Alan became "a spirit in the sky" after a 20 month battle with cancer. He was at home surrounded by his family. At only 69 years young, he left us way too soon. Alan is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cheryl Sawitski of Oshkosh; daughter, Sara (Craig) Kaminski of Oshkosh, and her mother, Maribeth Hankwitz; daughter, Samantha (Kory) Coonen of Greenville; son, Robert (Karlie) Sawitski of Oshkosh; daughter, Dawn (Jerry) Scholl of Oshkosh; daughter, Beth (Daniel) Fox of Edgerton; 12 grandchildren, Anna, Megan, Charlie, Verona, Hunter, Madison, Tyler (Danielle), Ryan (Sydney), Alex, Emma, Peyton, and Jack; two brothers, Russell Sawitski and Kenneth (Sue) Sawitski; a sister, Lois (Phil) Florek; many special nieces and nephews; and Tom Lorenz, Donald Frevert, and "G" who were a significant part of his life and whom he considered family. Allie, his black lab, stayed by his side during his cancer journey. Alan was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, John G. Sawitski, a daughter, Kim Chapin, and a granddaughter, Caroline Coonen. The family would like to sincerely thank UW-Carbone Cancer Center, Dr. LoConte, Andy, Jenna, and Sandy for their care of Alan.
A rite of Christian Burial Mass will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Peter Catholic Church, 435 High Ave., Oshkosh, with Father Jerry Pastors officiating. A time of visiting and sharing of memories will be held on Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the church. Online condolences to the family may be given at www.seefeldfuneral.com. Remembrances are being created by the family in Alan's name.