Thomas J. Wacker

Tom Wacker passed at home quietly and unexpectedly on November 15, 2024. Despite his many medical challenges of the past months and years, the family is stunned by the suddenness with which our world has changed. He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Mary, his beloved daughters Emily (Steve) Schultz, Carly Wacker, and Heidi (Luke) Braden, and his adored grandchildren Henry and Anna Schultz and Freddie Braden. He is now dancing among the stars with his late grandson, Ethan Patrick Schultz.

Tom was born in Milwaukee to Charles and Bernadine Wacker, and grew up the second of five children in Wauwatosa, where his shenanigans were well known. Whether sticking his pacifier in an electrical socket as a toddler, intentionally attempting to pass fourth grade doing as little academic work as possible, or “accidentally” burning down an outhouse in a local cemetery with his cousin, he marched to the beat of his own drum from the very start.

Tom graduated from Pius XI High School in 1967, where he made lifelong friends. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology at UW-Milwaukee during the turmoil of the late ‘60s, and as an advocate for civil rights and against war, he often said he received as much of an education outside the classroom as in.

Tom began his career at Sterling Tool and Manufacturing, the company founded by his grandfather. He moved from the shop to the sales team, and soon branched out into sales and management at Graebel Movers, Inc. The professional opportunity of a lifetime arrived in 1986 when he began his 36-year career at Challenger, Gray, & Christmas, Inc. He retired in December 2023, when medical challenges became too significant to continue the work he loved.

Tom’s varied hobbies reflected his deep love of nature and the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman throughout his life, and in his younger days ventured into skydiving, hot air ballooning, whitewater rafting, and mountain climbing. Closer to home, he enjoyed gardening and tending his yard, which was the envy of the neighborhood. He thrilled in decorating the trees for Christmas and scaring the kids with Halloween decorations.

He was a devoted family man, and his greatest treasures in life were his girls. He was a field trip dad, spent countless Saturdays on adventures with his daughters while Mary was coaching, and developed a huge arsenal of dad jokes and impressions (most notably W.C. Fields) that made the girls giggle (or groan). And when the grandchildren arrived, he had a brand new audience to clown around with who adored their “Bobby Tom.” Nothing brought him more joy than the laughter of children.

Tom lived a life of service, and when he made a commitment, he was all in. He was a regular blood and platelet donor, served as volunteer and chaperone on multiple excursions with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, and for many holiday seasons rang the bells for the Salvation Army, raising thousands of dollars by engaging his network to give.

He was an equally dedicated sports fan, and while he loved the Packers, baseball was his passion. Having been pulled out of school by his dad to attend a World’s Series game at age 8 when the Braves were in the race, his passion for the sport survived the heartbreak of the Braves move from Milwaukee, and he fully embraced the Brewers. He was a stalwart fan, and rarely without unsolicited advice for the team, the Commissioner, and anyone else who would listen.

Tom is further survived by his siblings, in-laws and their partners: Rosalie (the late James) O’Brien, Steve (Betsy Wright), Loretta (Al) Farrey, Chris (Barb Spiegel), Ursula (Tom) Gruenewald, Vincent Carco, and Diane Carco, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many dear friends.

Visitation beginning at 2:30 PM with a 5:30 PM Service on Monday, November 25 at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield.

In lieu of flowers, take a moment to pay forward your own good fortune the way Tom did. Drop a few bucks in a red kettle this holiday season or consider making an appointment to donate life-saving blood.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Thomas J. Wacker, please visit our Tribute Store.