Gilbert A. Kania

Gilbert A. Kania

May 23, 1930 - January 17, 2022

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Obituary

MADISON - Gilbert A. “Gil” Kania, age 91, of Madison, passed away on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on May 23, 1930, in Milwaukee.


After attending grade school on the south side, Gil attended Boys Technical High School and spent his summers working on his Uncle Frank’s farm in Lena, WI where he developed a strong work ethic. He also participated in the Polish Mazur Dancers, where he performed ethnic dance and played the accordion. After graduating from Boys Tech in June of 1949,  Gil immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and attended Radio Operators School at Keesler A.F.B., in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gil served during the Korean War in both Guam and Korea. He was discharged in December of 1952 from Truax Field A.F.B. in Madison, WI.


Gil was united in marriage to Eileen Finley on Oct. 16, 1954, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Madison and they returned to Milwaukee’s south side where they lived for the next 60 years. He entered the Milwaukee Police Department on April 6, 1953 and retired in October of 1986, after 33 ½ years of service at the 2nd District Police Station on Milwaukee’s south side. Gil then worked for six years as a Court Security Officer for the Federal Courts under the U.S. Marshall Service. He retired in July of 1992 to do some traveling and enjoy his golden years.

 

Gil was a past president of Milwaukee Retired Policemen Association, a member of VFW Post No. 9469 and Milwaukee Police American Legion Post No. 415, and a member of the Air Force AACS Alumni Association. He was a long time member of Blessed Sacrament Parish Holy Name Society in Milwaukee where he was a grade school football coach, softball coach, and a Boy Scout leader.  


Gil loved traveling! He took the family on many vacations by car throughout the United States. After the children were grown, he and Eileen traveled all over the world and they especially loved taking cruises with relatives and friends. On their trip to Ireland, Eileen pronounced Gil “IBM-Irish By Marriage” and presented him with an “IBM” pin to wear.  Gil enjoyed a rich, full, and busy social life because of his love of his extended family and big circle of friends. Seven years ago, Gil and Eileen downsized and moved to Madison to be closer to their extended family. He enjoyed playing and watching sports and cooking his homemade Polish Kluski noodles and five hour “no peek” stew.

 

Gil is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Eileen; two sons of whom he was very proud, Gerald (Donna) Kania and James (Debbie) Kania; lovely daughter, Karen (David) Tuschel; and three grandchildren, Erika Tuschel, Megan Kania and Kyle Kania. He was preceded in death by his mother, Regina; and stepfather, Chester Brzeczkowski.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Monday. A graveside service will be held at MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM, 3801 W. Morgan Ave., Milwaukee, at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022.


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


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420



Events

24
Visitation
Mon Jan 24, 2022 @ 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Bernard Catholic Church (Madison) • 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704
Get Directions
24
Mass of Christian Burial
Mon Jan 24, 2022 @ 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM CDT
St. Bernard Catholic Church (Madison) • 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704
Get Directions
25
Graveside Service
Tue Jan 25, 2022 @ 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM CDT
Mount Olivet Cemetery and Mausoleum • 3801 W Morgan Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53221
Get Directions

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Gilbert
SS
Sally Senk
Other •
Honored to have known Gil, a sweet man with a huge smile. RIP
GH
Gunderson Funeral Home
Other •
Shared a photo.
RL
Rob Linder
Other •
Living a few doors north of the Kania's when they lived on 35th street meant a lot of time at their house. Even when he came home from an exhausting day at work, Gil always had a smile on his face and funny things to say to us kids. Always interested and supportive of our activities, even understanding of our shenanigans. The 4th of July at the Kania's was always a highlight of Summer. When I moved away from Milwaukee and came back for visits to the old neighborhood, it was always great to catch up with Gil, and he was always interested in what I and my family were up to way out there in Seattle. Gill will be dearly missed but always fondly remembered.
AF
Ann Finley
Other •
My sympathies to Aunt Eileen, Jerry, Karen, Jimmy and the entire extended family on the loss of Uncle Gil. May you all treasure his smile, laugh and great memories. It was wonderful being able to spend a little time with Uncle Gil and the whole family around Christmas time this year while in Madison. I especially enjoyed seeing all the great photos of Gil, Eileen and the family on Eileen and Gil's walls! Brought back some fun memories of visits to the Kanias in Milwaukee when growing up. May the love of those around you provide comfort in the coming days.
JS
John Schneider
Other •
My condolences to Mrs. Kania and the family. I remember Mr. Kania as a kind man devoted to his family, completely invested in the lives of his children. We were always welcome in the Kania House on 35th Street in Milwaukee. Mr. Kania was a role model who volunteered many hours as a coach for the Blessed Sacrament football team. He will be a lasting influence in the lives he touched.
DT
David Tuschel
Other •
He was a great man, a wonderful father-in-law, and I loved him as I did my own father. I especially treasure the memories of the times I spent with him since Karen and I moved to Madison.

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