Albert Remeika

Remeika, Albert "Mike" FITCHBURG Albert "Mike" Remeika, age 94, died Monday, June 23, 2008, at the UW Hospital. He was born Nov. 23, 1913, in Seymour, Conn., the youngest child of John and Henrietta (Pudim) Remeika. As a young man, he excelled at sports and was a horseshoe, tennis, and golf champion in the New Haven area. He served in the Air Force during World War II, where he acquired his nickname, "Mike". After his discharge, Mike worked in the home improvement business in Madison, first as an installer, and later as the head of his own company. Mike and Frances (Busse) Scoll were married on Feb. 24, 1951, the first couple to exchange vows in the newly-built First Unitarian Meeting House in Shorewood. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001. Together, they ran a student apartment house on North Frances Street until 1958. They also invented, patented, and manufactured, "The Magic Bubble Pipe," a childrens toy, which for a period was used by the Kellogg Cereal Company as a premium. From 1958 to 1969, Mike and his family lived in Crestwood, then moved to the present residence in Fitchburg. After his retirement, Mike kept busy landscaping and maintaining his Fitchburg property, and doing bookkeeping, errands, and maintenance for his daughters business. He called himself a, "BDHP", or broken-down horse player, and his passion was handicapping thoroughbreds. He bet the Triple Crown this year (and lost!). He was thoughtful, generous, charming, and strong-willed. He loved his family, friends, and pets. He is survived by his wife, Fran of Fitchburg; his daughter, Diane Remeika (Larry Hamlin) of Madison; many other relatives, and friends, including Kenny Koberle and Charlie Wheelock. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Walter Remeika; and a sister, Edna McWilliams. His family is deeply grateful to the kind and caring staff and therapists at Middleton Village Nursing and Rehab Center (Mikes home since March), and the sympathetic and compassionate doctors and nurses at UW Hospital. A Remembrance gathering and buffet with the family will be held at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2008. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials may be made to the pet rescue, animal sanctuary, or humane society of your choice.