Paul F. Wokwicz, 87 years old of Pleasant Prairie, WI passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.
Paul was born April 2, 1933, in Milwaukee, WI the son of Polish immigrants Paul and Alexandra (Drobiszewski) Wojtkiewicz. He graduated from Marquette University with a Doctor of Law degree in 1957. He moved his law practice from Milwaukee to Kenosha in 1961, where he has served the southeastern Wisconsin communities ever since. Paul proudly served his country from 1957-1963 as a U.S. Army Reservist. On November 23, 1963, he married the love of his life, Eleane Bushman, of Ossian, IA.
In 1966 he was chosen “Young Man of the Year” in Kenosha. Paul served the Kenosha community in numerous ways including: Chairman of the Advisory Board of St. Catherine’s Hospital, Director of the Educational Foundation of Kenosha, Parish Counsel Member of St. James Catholic Church, President of the Kiwanis Club of Kenosha, Vice President of the Kenosha Civic Counsel, President of the Toastmaster’s Club, Secretary and Board Member of Catholic Social Services of Kenosha, Advisor for the Explorer Scouts Legal Group, Legal Advisor and Board Member of “Life Right of Kenosha”, President of the Kenosha County Bar Association, Formative Leader of Kenosha Unified School District, Acting City Attorney for Kenosha, and Board Member of Safe Harbor Humane Society, among other activities. In 1988, Paul was appointed as a Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge by former Governor Tommy Thompson and served in this capacity until 1989 when he returned to serve his practice full-time. Paul was well recognized for his extraordinary legal abilities, coupled with his pleasant demeanor and even temperament.
Although Paul was a very accomplished man, that was not what was most important to him. He was humble and self-deprecating. Paul was a family man. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, teaching them anything he could. Paul always told his family, “Do the right thing, the good thing and doing right isn’t that complicated…people know what is right and good”. He would say, “Always look for a person’s character; look to see who they serve. Do they put themselves and self-interest above others?” He also said, “It doesn’t matter what you do, but how you do it. Respect people for their character and actions. It doesn’t matter if they dig a ditch or are a rich professional, look to a person’s character.” He rejected “materialism” and status and did not care about those things. To him, they are not what mattered. Paul was never judgmental, only compassionate; never pompous or preachy. He said, “You never know what another person’s circumstances may be; we don’t know about their upbringing or what is going on in their lives, so have compassion.” He loved fishing, especially with his dad, as a quiet time to talk, ruminate, and think. He loved nature, animals, gardening and sharing his vegetables and fruits with others. A tender and thoughtful person who would say to respect all living things.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Eleane; children, Paul B. (Paula) Wokwicz, of Kenosha, WI, Anne (Patrick) McSorley of Somers, WI, Cathy (formerly Semenas) (Harry) Hagg of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Peter (Melanie) Wokwicz of South Barrington, IL; 16 grandchildren, Kimberly (Sam) Cheema, Kevin Semenas, Caitlin Semenas, Colette Semenas, Carrie Semenas, Cassandra Semenas, Joren (Krista) McSorley, KelliAnne (Charles Perez) McSorley, Mary McSorley, Patrick McSorley, Mae McSorley, Emily McSorley, Charlie McSorley, Anya Wokwicz, Parker Wokwicz, and Grace Wokwicz; two great-grandchildren, Kenleigh McSorley and Carter McSorley; two step-grandchildren, Douglas Hagg and Alexander Hagg; a sister, Alicia (Wayne) Neal; and sister-in-law, Cecelia Wojtkiewicz.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Wojtkiewicz, and a granddaughter, Catherine Anne Semenas.
We would like to remember Paul with the following thought which sums up his philosophy in life, “I already knew how I was going to treat you, long before we ever met”.
A private Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church, Pleasant Prairie, WI.
