Gene Pieschek
Gene said that he had been thinking about the Knights of Columbus for a long time before he actually became a part of the organization—some nearby neighbors had already been a part of it—he noted Gerry Piontek and Bob Ledvina—but it turned out to be Richard Rebman who actually got him to sign on the dotted line.  He took his first Degree just over  a year ago and is planning to be a part of the Second and Third degree exemplifications scheduled for November 2^nd.  While he hasn’t had the chance to be involved in a lot of activities to this point, he enjoys functions such as brat fries and booyah sales, so he is looking forward to fitting them into his schedule. 

For many years now, his life has been tied closely to St. Bernard Parish.  Originally from the Green Bay area, Gene was raised in two religions.  One parent was Lutheran and the other was Catholic and the children would alternate weekend worship services.  When he met his future wife Donna, he began taking instructions in the Catholic faith from Father Haessley.  He was a part of the St. Bernard parish community from just about the beginning in 1957 and he and Donna were among the first couples married in the new parish in 1958.  Since then he and Donna have volunteered at parish sponsor3ed Masses and communion services at Bornemann Nursing home, where he occasionally plays guitar.  They also visit residents in their rooms with communion.  He is a longtime member of the Holy Name Society and served as Secretary in the past.  As music is one of his talents he played in the past with the 11:00 Mass choir and with his wife sometimes visits the homebound after 9:30 Mass.  He and Donna have taken part in Curcillo and have also served the Parish in the Baptism program. 

Building has also been a part of his life and he proudly notes that he built his first house so that he and his wife could move into a brand new home after they were married.  When building slowed he started working for Wisconsin Protective Coating, a company that provides tints to match samples they receive.  He was involved in that line of work for fifteen years.  He also worked for the Green Bay School System and served as a lead painter.  Retired these last couple of years, he finds that he does things a little differently—there’s sometimes even time for a nap after lunch.  He still has a hand in the building business.  He now works with his son, handling books, checking on projects and doing general office work. 

The retirement doesn’t seem to have slowed his love of music either.  He’s played with his brother as a treat for residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  They go by the name of The Pieschek Brothers Band.  Gene has played drums, trumpet and trombone.  Retirement has also brought the opportunity for he and Donna to travel and they have visited places like Aruba and Puerto Rico and other islands in the Winter.  In the Spring, Summer and Fall, there’s the cabin at White Potato Lake, just fifty four miles from home---not too near and not too far.  Gene and Donna have five children; the oldest and youngest live right nearby and the three middle ones live in the Milwaukee area.

October 2003