Joseph Henry "Joe" Brisch

Joseph Henry “Joe” Brisch of Brooksville, FL 73, entered into eternal life while surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, May 19th 2021. Joe was so strong and fought until the very end of his brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Joe was born on November 5th 1947 in Chicago, IL to Joseph G. and Jaqueline M. Brisch. Growing up in Manitowoc, he was the oldest of seven children.

Joe graduated from Lincoln High School in 1966 and continued his studies at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  He then pursued additional education at Chicago’s Concorde Career College in Respiratory Therapy.

On June 12th 1971 he married Susan Kay “Sue” Pijan in Manitowoc, WI. They made Manitowoc their home, loved their community, and it’s where they raised their five children. During that time Joe was a devout member and frequent volunteer at Holy Innocents Catholic Church. In 2008 Joe and Sue moved to Brooksville, FL, where they enjoyed their retirement years.

Joe started his career as a Respiratory Therapist for Holy Family Memorial in 1971. He continued at the hospital until he made a career change and started working in sales for the family business at Rockwell Lime Company until his retirement in 2008.

Joe loved life and everyone in it! He loved spending time at Walt Disney World with his grandchildren. We think he had Mickey Ears under his baseball caps.  He also loved his time cruising with friends and family.  Joe loved bowling, back in the day, and participated in 25 National Tournaments. He had a lifelong respect and love for the game of golf. This led him to spending his summers over the last 10 years as a rules official for the Wisconsin State Golf Association (WSGA) including over 50 tournaments in 2020. As a testament to his service in 2020 the WSGA presented Joe with the inaugural Arnold Walker Volunteer Award.

Throughout his life Joe was passionate about volunteering and providing service to his community. He served as President of Branch River Country Club and was a board member. In addition he served in numerous community and business organizations including: Holy Innocents Parish Council Member, Holy Innocents 8th Grade Football Coach, Kenny’s Club, Evans Scholars Foundation, Kiwanis Club, Holy Family Memorial Board of Directors, American Society Testing & Materials (ASTM) Honorary Membership Award and Multiple Awards of Appreciation, Manitowoc Bowling Association- Hall of Fame, Manitowoc Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce and the Holy Family Credit Union Board.

Most of all, he deeply cared for and loved his family. He was a devoted husband, a great dad, a proud papa, and the proudest great grandpa. 

Joe is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Sue: Five Children, Christopher (Michaela) Brisch, and their children Jamison (Bailey) and their child Evelyn, Calin, Quinten, New Port Richey, FL; Jennifer (Maximilian) Zinn, and their children Lucille, Adelaide, August, Greenwood, MN; Erin (Scott) Wessley, and their children Jackson, Rylee, Sussex, WI; Nicholas (Tara), and their children Alexandra, Noah, Emily, Manitowoc, WI; Alissa (Daniel) Schuh, and their children Thomas and Bennett, Kaukauna, WI; father Joseph G. Brisch; siblings sister-in-law Betty, Jacque (Jeff) McCullough, Donald (Mary Kay), Stephanie (Glenn) Graff, Debbie (Steve) Brisch-Cramer, and David (Peggy); many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, lifelong friends, and his four legged Golden Retriever friend, Buddy. 

Joe was one of a kind and will be missed by many, especially his family and his dear wife Sue. 

He is preceded in death by his mother Jacqueline Brisch and brother, Richard Brisch.

The family would like to thank Bishop Dan Felton of Duluth, MN and Father Pecchie of Brooksville, FL for providing spiritual guidance to Joe and his family during his journey. HPH Hospice House, Spring Hill, FL for their compassionate and tender care and the Doctors at The Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL.

Mass and a celebration of Joseph’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (formerly Holy Innocents Catholic Church), 1121 North 14th  Street, Manitowoc. Concelebrating the Mass of Christian Burial will be Revs. Doug LeCaptian and Richard Klingeisen. Joseph will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery of Manitowoc following the service. 

The family will greet relatives and friends Friday evening, June 11, 2021 at the church from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. led by Deacon Bob Beehner.  The family will continue visitation at the church prior to service Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Wisconsin State Golf Association Foundation (https://wsga.org/foundation/make-a-gift).

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting: www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com.

The Pfeffer Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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