Sylvester Francis Pacholski

Racine – Sylvester F. Pacholski, age 72, passed away on April 26, 2015 at Wheaton Franciscan- All Saints Medical Center. Les fought an extended battle with multiple health issues courageously and quietly. He was born to Sylvester F. Sr. and Emily (nee: Youcher) Pacholski on September 10, 1942 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was united in marriage to Joanne Ahrndt on May 31, 1974 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Racine. Les grew up on Milwaukee’s south side where he attended St. Ignatius Loyola Grade School and graduated from Don Bosco High School in 1960. He received a two year certificate in Professional Photography from Layton School of Art in June 1962. After graduating from Layton, he worked for Bucyrus-Erie as a commercial photographer. Then the draft intervened and he spent the next four years in the U.S. Navy in Photographic Intelligence. He spent twenty seven months on Taiwan and a year aboard the USS Ranger. Upon discharge from the Navy, he began college at UW-Whitewater and completed his degree at UW-Milwaukee. He graduated cum laude in June 1972 with a B.A. degree in English. After graduating, he moved to San Francisco to work as a general assistant to an antique paperweight dealer. Les was a photographer and copy editor for the book Paperweights For Collectors. Les returned to Milwaukee the fall of 1973 and worked as a counselor at Ethan Allen School for Boys. The majority of his working career was spent in the insurance industry. He entered the field in May 1975 working for his father-in-law, Howard Ahrndt. He retired in December 2010 from Fuhrman-Carls Insurance. Some of his favorite interests and activities were: listening to jazz, photography, going to gardens, quilt shows, and car shows, walking by the Reef Point Marina and Wind Point Lighthouse, and reading the New Yorker or a good book. In healthier times he also enjoyed whitewater rafting, sailing, bike riding, and mountain climbing. He was a smart and talented man with a kind and gentle spirit. Les was also soft spoken and uncomplaining. Les will be dearly missed by his wife, Joanne; special son, Luke; brother, Richard (Phyllis) Pacholski; in-laws, Diane (Richard) Apel and Gary (Lynette) Ahrndt; nieces and nephews, Lisa and Dan, Susan and Nigel, Michael, Jeremy and Amanda, Shannon, and Ryan; and great nieces and nephews, Jayne, Mitchell, Lucy, Rafe, Riley, and Emmalyn. He also leaves behind many relatives and good friends, especially Mary Ann and Larry Vaughn. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Howard and Eleanor Ahrndt; aunts and uncles; and good friends, Gordon and Susan Goodrich. Memorial services will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Memorials may be directed to Disabled American Veterans, VA Regional Office, 5400 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53214. Condolences may be made at www.wilsonfuneralhomeracine.com.

Sylvester Francis Pacholski

September 10, 1942 - April 26, 2015