Anthony "Tony" A. Jurik

Tony entered this world in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Frank and Mary Jurik, and he entered eternal life in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on December 8, 2024, at age 82 years. He was the beloved husband of Karen Jurik for 63 years, and the loving father of son Chris (Lisa) Jurik and daughter Lynn (Nick) Staskiewicz. He was the cherished grandpa of Samantha Fernandez, Marissa (Jermaine) Marks, Daniel Jurik, Alexandria (Patrick) Gerber, and Alesia Staskiewicz, and the dear brother of MaryAnn Dodulik. He is further survived by three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was a proud graduate of Marquette University. While starting his career at Falk, he took 12 years of night classes and graduated with a BS in Manufacturing Engineering and Business Administration. He spent 38 years at Falk Corp. and retired from Waukesha Electric. He held many different titles, including Manufacturing Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Project Engineer and Supervisor.

Tony had a life-long love of music. He was an accomplished trumpet player. He met his wife Karen while playing in the Milwaukee Catholic Symphony. He also played in the First Brigade Band, South Milwaukee Municipal Band, New Horizons Band, UW-Waukesha Symphonic Band, and Hartland Community Band. He was also on the board of directors for New Horizons. Tony and Karen toured much of the U.S.A. through bus trips he planned as a board member of the South Milwaukee Municipal Band for 40 years.

He enjoyed playing trumpet in numerous churches for all occasions. He directed his own Big Band of 17 members and played at retirement communities throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Catholic faith was an important part of Tony’s life. He loved singing in the church choirs at St. Florian’s and St. William’s. He was a long-time member of St. William’s Parish in Waukesha and served on the parish council for eight years.

Tony was deeply connected to his Slovak heritage and was an active part of the Slovak community. He had a strong presence at local Slovak events, including open houses at the Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society, Fašiangy, Slovak American Picnic, and the Slovak Pilgrimage. He was a lifetime member of the Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society and served as the president for 10 years. He enjoyed traveling to Phillips, WI and served as a judge for the Miss Czech-Slovak Pageant.

He loved hunting and outdoor activities and certainly, his music and band performances, but most importantly, he loved spending time with his family.

A Memorial Gathering will be held for Tony on Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 9:00am until time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, all at St. William Catholic Church, 440 North Moreland Boulevard, Waukesha, Wisconsin. Private entombment will be at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, any donations received will be forwarded to the Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society and the Hartland Community Band.

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