In Memory Of
John Besaw
1964
2018
John Besaw
February 24, 1964 — October 19, 2018
On October 19th, 2018 the clouds opened up and John Edward Besaw (54) went to meet his Lord and reunite with his dad. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, after a 2 ½ year battle with ALS. John was born in Green Bay, WI on February 24th, 1964 to (late) Charles and Mary (Sue) Besaw. He went on to marry the love of his life, Tracy (Smeester) on September 6th, 1986 and together they had two children, Jade (Jeffrey Prigge) and Benjamin as well as two grandchildren, Anthony and Benjamin.
John was a 1982 graduate of Green Bay East High School. He worked with his dad Chuck at Gold Bond Ice Cream from 1980 till 1989. He went on to work for Green Bay Packaging from 1990 until 2016 when he was no longer able.
John's love of hunting, fishing, camping, and all things outdoors was exceeded only by his love for God, his Family, and the Green Bay Packers! He was a lover of good music; a man with a sharp sense of humor, and a vast wealth of knowledge that was truly remarkable. All those whose lives he touched continue to be amazed at the strength of his character and how he never let this terrible disease get the best of him.
John is survived by his wife and soul mate of 32 years, Tracy, his daughter Jade (Jeffrey Prigge), and his son Benjamin along with his grandsons, Anthony and Benjamin. He is also survived by his mother, Mary (Sue) and sisters: Debbie (Doug) Wasielewski, and Lori Christensen; his Father and Mother-In-Law: James and Christie Smeester; Brothers-In-Law: Scott (Shelley), Brian (Holly), Mark (Patti), Greg (Anne), and Brent Smeester, and Sisters-In-Law: Tina and Tonya Smeester, as well as 45 nieces and nephews and numerous aunts, uncles, and many lifelong friends. John was proceeded in death by his father, Charles; his grandparents; and his cousin, Amanda.
In John's final act and in his passing, he paid forward all the love and support he's received by all. He was able to give the gift of life to others by fulfilling his wish to be an organ donor. He also donated tissue and other organs to further ALS research in hopes of a cure for families in the future. This was very important to John, and perfectly in character with the selfless man John was.
To say he will be missed is an understatement. Words cannot express our broken hearts, but we take comfort in knowing he lives on in those whose lives he's saved. We also know he's watching over us from Heaven, until the day we meet again…
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and physicians at St. Vincent's Hospital, the organ donation team from UW Madison, and all those involved in John's care. Special thanks go out to friends and coworkers at Green Bay Packaging and St. Vincent's.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 4 PM -7 PM at Newcomer - Green Bay Chapel, 340 S. Monroe Avenue, Green Bay with the service to follow at 7 PM.
We know John would say "He had a pretty damn good ride."
John was a 1982 graduate of Green Bay East High School. He worked with his dad Chuck at Gold Bond Ice Cream from 1980 till 1989. He went on to work for Green Bay Packaging from 1990 until 2016 when he was no longer able.
John's love of hunting, fishing, camping, and all things outdoors was exceeded only by his love for God, his Family, and the Green Bay Packers! He was a lover of good music; a man with a sharp sense of humor, and a vast wealth of knowledge that was truly remarkable. All those whose lives he touched continue to be amazed at the strength of his character and how he never let this terrible disease get the best of him.
John is survived by his wife and soul mate of 32 years, Tracy, his daughter Jade (Jeffrey Prigge), and his son Benjamin along with his grandsons, Anthony and Benjamin. He is also survived by his mother, Mary (Sue) and sisters: Debbie (Doug) Wasielewski, and Lori Christensen; his Father and Mother-In-Law: James and Christie Smeester; Brothers-In-Law: Scott (Shelley), Brian (Holly), Mark (Patti), Greg (Anne), and Brent Smeester, and Sisters-In-Law: Tina and Tonya Smeester, as well as 45 nieces and nephews and numerous aunts, uncles, and many lifelong friends. John was proceeded in death by his father, Charles; his grandparents; and his cousin, Amanda.
In John's final act and in his passing, he paid forward all the love and support he's received by all. He was able to give the gift of life to others by fulfilling his wish to be an organ donor. He also donated tissue and other organs to further ALS research in hopes of a cure for families in the future. This was very important to John, and perfectly in character with the selfless man John was.
To say he will be missed is an understatement. Words cannot express our broken hearts, but we take comfort in knowing he lives on in those whose lives he's saved. We also know he's watching over us from Heaven, until the day we meet again…
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and physicians at St. Vincent's Hospital, the organ donation team from UW Madison, and all those involved in John's care. Special thanks go out to friends and coworkers at Green Bay Packaging and St. Vincent's.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 4 PM -7 PM at Newcomer - Green Bay Chapel, 340 S. Monroe Avenue, Green Bay with the service to follow at 7 PM.
We know John would say "He had a pretty damn good ride."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Besaw, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, October 25, 2018
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
Service
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Starts at 7:00 pm (Central time)
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
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