Patrick Kane Cantwell

MIDDLETON - Patrick Kane Cantwell left this Earth on October 31, 2026. Born in Madison in 1948 to Florence and Bill Cantwell, Pat was a loving brother to Mike, Jeff, Connie, Roger, Steve, Tommy, Ed, Bev and Banjo. The family lived in Portage and Lake Mills before settling in Middleton. There, Pat met his best friends: Murp, Arnie, Ed, Little Dave, DB and Oscar. He played basketball and ran track at Middleton High School, graduating in 1966.

Pat’s life changed for the better in 1969, when he met Jeanne Andersen, at the Unicorn. Together they weathered tragedies and losses beyond comprehension, celebrated triumphs, and shared laughter and good times. With their children, Brent and Courtney, they created a “Sweet Life.” Their home was where everyone gathered, and Pat loved Brent and Courtney’s friends as much as his own.

Pat was an exceptional cook and a grill master. He maintained an impeccable yard and loved walking his beloved terriers, Hugs and Kramer, around Foxridge. An excellent driver who loved to travel, he took the family on road trips in the trusty Pontiac 6000 to St. Louis, Disney World, the Ozarks, the Carolinas and Washington, DC. Later adventures took them to New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London and Dublin.

The Cantwell family grew in 2005 when Brent married Teresa, welcoming her and her two daughters, Brittani and Krysten. When Courtney married Ryan in 2007, the family welcomed a son-in-law. Pat shared many adventures with his growing family: trips to Minocqua and Wisconsin Dells, Amarillo and Austin, skiing at Breckenridge and attending girls’ club volleyball games all over the country.

In 2011, grandsons Griffin, Hunter and Jaxon were born. These three boys brought Pat joy beyond measure, and he was so proud of each one and his unique talents. He and his grandsons shared many meaningful moments: fishing, golfing, playing catch, playing cards and just hanging. Through 16 months of immunotherapy treatment for stage IV cancer, Pat’s primary goal was to “be around for their graduations.” He also had two bucket-list wishes: a week together in Galena with Brent, Courtney, Teresa, Jeanne and the boys, which was at the top of his list, and fly fishing in Montana. Both wishes came true this summer.

Pat’s dedication to his family was matched by his commitment to work and community. He served as assistant manager at the Hub, then owned the Aught Shop with Jeanne, followed by Pat’s Shoe Repair Shop. His commitment to the community also included serving as the Little League baseball commissioner in the 1980s. As a bus driver for the Middleton School District, he made sure the kids always had pizza and soda on the last day of school. He worked for the USPS, primarily out of the Westside Station, carrying mail on rural route #14 for 20 years. He also spent several years as a salesman at Top Promotions. After retiring in 2010, he provided security for the Badgers Football Team through CSC—the highlight of his career! He loved getting to know Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor and JJ Watt, and enjoyed the hip hop music, sunshine and fresh air at Camp Randall.

After an agreeable divorce from Jeanne, Pat began seeing Mary Schara. Together they took trips to Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Colorado.  They enjoyed soaking up the sun by the pool at Middleton Ridge, dinners around town and spending time with Mary’s boys Dusty, Jason and Nate.

Alongside his family, Pat treasured a wide circle of friends that also included the Pick family, Cindy and Thom Palmer, Jeff and Lisa Zander and close friend Mike Hall. On Wednesday nights, he and Mary played Bingo at the Sport Bowl with the “Cheers” crew: Rick Boyd, Nancy Lehr, Patty Foss, Rocky Duhr, Pam McKinney and Heather Ziegler. They often returned on Saturday or Sunday to watch a Badgers or Packers game.

Arnie Gudel, Ed Helmke and Dave Hellenbrand were more than Pat’s fishing buddies. Best friends since childhood, they became brothers to him. He looked forward to their annual fishing trips and monthly lunches, but it was being together that mattered most. They shared a lifetime of memories and, at the end, one final toast. An hour after their visit, Pat left his tired body behind, holding the hands of his children, Jeanne and Mary, at the foot of his bed. His daughter-in-law, Teresa, and granddaughter, Krysten, lovingly cared for him in his final moments.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, a sister, a niece, two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law, his mother-in-law and his father-in-law as well as numerous friends and beloved dogs.

Pat is survived by his children, Courtney and Brent (Teresa); son-in-law, Ryan Stuckey; and the two loves of his life, Jeanne Cantwell and Mary Schara; grandsons, Griffin, Hunter and Jaxon; and granddaughters, Brittani (Cody) and Krysten (Wyatt); great-grandsons, Braxton, Kaiser and Vander; great-granddaughter, Emoreigh; brother, Ed Cantwell (Daylene); and sister, Bev Hayman (Thom). He also leaves behind 22 nieces and nephews, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, along with several unrelated by blood but who also called him Uncle Pat nonetheless.

A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 12 noon until 4 p.m., with a celebration of Pat's life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

We extend our gratitude to Fitchburg Serenity Club (AA), St Mary’s Hospital, Rebecca Parkes with Palliative Care, Encompass Health, the entire team at Middleton Crossings and Agrace Hospice for providing so much support and care for him over the years.    

Dad appreciated beauty in the little things: hummingbirds at his feeder, making chili, Sunday drives, lying in the grass, leaves changing colors in the fall, Swisher Sweets, and standing on the pier at Blue Lake with a fishing pole in his hand. Kind, generous and caring, he was liked by all and brightened the lives of so many. It was our honor to love him! Though he grew tiny in the final years of his life, the void he leaves is immense.

Dad relied on many blood transfusions over the years. In his memory, please consider donating blood or giving to the American Red Cross in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761