John was born near Helenville, WI as the 13th boy born on Friday, July 13th, 1990. He grew to be a kind, goofy, determined young boy, playing all of the sports, eating all of the ice cream, and climbing all of the trees. He was constantly befriending the lonely and fighting battles for the weak. He built himself into quite the generous, loving, strong young man by the time high school rolled around. John attempted to experience as much as he could, including paintball, football, forensics, hunting, and academic decathlon. This positive high-energy was absolutely who he was from the beginning. After graduating from Jefferson High School in 2009, John landed at Wisconsin Lutheran College. He later transferred to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to play football and snag a degree in business. The idea-man himself had the head for success in business and the determination for success in football even long after college.
John graduated from UWO in 2014 and hit the ground running with NFL combines across the United States. In true Joey fashion, he surprisingly secured a contract with the Saints in Perth, Australia. Having found a passion for professional football as well as travel, Joe spent time negotiating contracts across 6 of the 7 continents. But, with his love of the German language (potentially sparked by his love of Rammstein), Johnny decided on the Munich Cowboys. A championship ring later, he found another team to call home, the Wuerzburg Panthers. In his off-season, he spent time working in construction in the family business- some say that's the real reason he was always in good shape. After finishing his career in professional football and construction, Joe continued to achieve. He earned his master's degree while working full-time as a supply chain analyst for Doosan Bobcat.
Joe only knew how to live big. His network was immense, and his reach within that network was unmatched. He had this amazing talent to not only help people see their potential but also achieve it. Perhaps that's what Abby, his fiancée, saw in him. Or perhaps it was his mustache. Joe grew to be an amazing man, and Abby came to love all of him. They made something sincerely magical- a life of laughter, goofy adventures, morning gym sessions, Saturday afternoon mass, Joe-sized meals, and coffee dates. They built a home in their new house while looking forward to building a family too. They loved that magical life with their whole hearts.
Johnny is survived by his parents Sue and John, his siblings Rose (Diego), Ellie (Matt), and Kate (Jorie), and his fiancée, Abby. He loved and was loved by his grandpa, cousins, aunts, uncles, soon-to-be in-laws, nieces/nephews, paintball family, vast sea of brothers and sisters in football, Bobcat crew, church community, and so many more.
Services will be held on two separate days: The visitation is Saturday, April 26, 2025, 8:30-10:45 am with a funeral service to follow at St. James Catholic Church, W220 N6588 Town Line Road Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. We will be hosting a "Joe-bration" Saturday, May 31, 2025 starting at 1 pm (location to be determined).
