Philip Croak

Croak, Philip JeffreyMONONA - Philip Jeffrey Croak, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, with his devoted wife, Marian, by his side at HospiceCare in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Phil was born on the family farm between Brooklyn and Brodhead, on the Green and Rock County line, on September 4, 1920, the youngest son of Martin A. and Margaret C. (Dunphy) Croak. He attended a one-room schoolhouse where he was taught by his sister, Agnes and graduated from Evansville High School in 1938. He received his Bachelors Degree in Accounting in 1942 and his Law Degree in 1948, both from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Phil was a decorated World War II Veteran where he served as a pilot of a B-24 bomber from his base in southern Italy. He had flown 34 missions when the war ended. He remained in the Air Force Reserve where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the mid-sixties. Phil joined his brother Marty as an FBI agent after Law School in 1948. He remained in the FBI until the summer of 1953 when he moved back to Madison to start his own legal practice. Phil met his dear wife, Marian A. Mocnik, in 1949 while both worked for the FBI in Cleveland, Ohio. They were married on February 11, 1950 at St. Vitus Catholic Church in Cleveland. During Phils fifty plus years in the practice of law, he had the opportunity to work with his brother Marty, Martys wife Kay, his wife, Marian and his son, Marty. His office was in various locations over the years, all within a one-block area on Monona Drive in Monona. He served countless people and businesses in Monona, East Madison and surrounding areas over the course of his career. Phil was a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 531 in Madison, belonged to the East Madison Optimist Club and the Monona Grove Businessmens Club, and was a very active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Monona. He had a great love of life, was an avid sports fan, enjoyed card games of all kinds, especially bridge, and loved to hear interesting and humorous stories. His whole life centered around his family and friends. Phil is survived by his loving wife, Marian, his eight children, Mary (Earl) Hensen, Jeff (Lyn) Croak, Marty (Linda) Croak, Betsy Ottaviano, Mike (Sarah) Croak, Ellen (Gary) Sweeney, Agnes (John) Pluska and Anne (Bruce) Douglas; his nineteen grandchildren, Tony (Angie), Nick (Jen) and Katie Hensen, Christina and Maureen Croak, Patrick Croak, Molly, Gordy and Gina Ottaviano, Mackenzie, Hadley and Owen Croak, Kristen and Samantha Sweeney, Marie, Justin and Corey Frank, and Stella and Theo Douglas; and his five great-grandchildren, Sydney, Natalie, Kylie, Connor and Mckenna Hensen and many nieces nephews. Phil was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters, Eleanor McCann, Kathryn Dunphy, Marty Croak, Ted Croak, Agnes (Sister Janet) Croak, Maurice Croak, Genevieve Lamboley, Mary Young and Isabel Larson; four of his nieces and nephews, Peggy Dunphy, Annette Giles, Johnny Dunphy and Tom Croak; and his grand-nephew, Daniel Croak. A scripture service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona on Friday, April 9, 2010 from 4 p.m-4:30 p.m. followed by a visitation until 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 11 a.m., at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, with Father John Meinholz and Monsignor Dave Croak concelebrating, with visitation preceding from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A funeral luncheon will take place in Marian Hall next to the church from noon until 2 p.m., to be followed by burial at the Calvary family cemetery, on Highway 59 North of Brodhead. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Michael Seibers, M.D., Kathleen Hoffland, N. P., St. Marys Day Care, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, St. Marys Care Center, Oak Park Nursing Home, and HospiceCare. Memorials may be made to the Monona Grove Businessmens Club for the Philip J. Croak Scholarship or the Immaculate Heart of Mary Endowment Fund.Gunderson EastFuneral & Cremation Centers5203 Monona Drive608-221-5420www.gundersonfh.com Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Monona Grove Businessmens Club for the Philip J. Croak Scholarship or the Immaculate Heart of Mary Endowment Fund. Cemetery: A funeral luncheon will take place in Marian Hall next to the church from noon until 2 p.m., to be followed by burial at the Calvary family cemetery, on Highway 59 North of Brodhead. Visitation: A scripture service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona on Friday, April 9, 2010 from 4 p.m-4:30 p.m. followed by a visitation until 7 p.m. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 11 a.m., at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, with Father John Meinholz and Monsignor Dave Croak concelebrating, with visitation preceding from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.