Greg Ratas

Greg Ratas

Gregory “Greg” Ratas, beloved husband, father, brother, godfather, uncle, and friend, passed away on October 20, 2022, at the age of 63. Born to Helen and Tom Ratas on August 27, 1959, he and his older brother, Dean, grew up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on Knoll Terrace. He graduated from Wauwatosa West High School in 1978 where he excelled in football and golf. Greg attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in 1982 with a B.S. in Economics. He went on to attend graduate school at Georgia State University where he received an M.S. in Real Estate and Urban Affairs.

He met his wife-to-be, Anna, on a blind date at Chicago’s Water Tower Place. They married in 1991 and had two beautiful boys, Alexander and Michael. Greg worked in real estate development in Wisconsin and Illinois, building retail shopping centers and luxury apartment complexes. His tenacity, resilience, and ingenuity were second to none. After the passing of his father, Greg and Anna assumed ownership of Ratas Wholesale Liquor, continuing the third generation of family to run the business.

Greg was an avid golfer with a single-digit handicap and played courses all around the country. He was a devoted fan of the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers and the first to offer coaching advice on any sport, especially football and golf. He loved going to the movies for any genre, but especially action adventure. He enjoyed walks in the local park and would gather with friends at coffee shops to discuss issues of the day. He loved talking with others, had a wonderful sense of humor, and had a hearty and infectious laugh that was uniquely his own. He was a deeply caring father to his sons Alexander and Michael and passed along his sense of humor, compassion, and devotion to family.

Greg is survived by his loving wife, Anna, his devoted sons, Alexander and Michael, his brother Dean (& Susan) Ratas, his mother-in-law Lena Thodos, his sisters-in-law Diane and Christina Thodos and Melissa (& Rick) Johnston, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors who all love him very much.

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 30th from 3:00 PM – 4:45 PM followed by 5:00 PM prayers (Trisagion) and the sharing of memories at Krause Funeral Home, 9000 West Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI.

The Funeral Service will be held Monday, October 31st at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 9400 West Congress Street, Milwaukee, WI. The service will begin at 1:30 pm with a procession and burial to follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Greg’s name to: The Excellence in Hematology/Oncology Fund at the University of Wisconsin Madison Department of Medicine. https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?id=de8faf6e-8013-4c33-ae25-924075858148