Jerome E. “Jerry” Polasky, age 70 of Hudson, WI formerly of Oconomowoc, WI passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, Pam, and sons Joshua and Jonathan on February 14, 2019.

Jerry was born on November 18, 1948, in Waukesha, WI to parents Harold and Jeanne (Maney) Polasky. He grew up in Mukwonago, WI, moving to Menomonie, WI prior to high school. He graduated from Menomonie High School in 1966, received a business degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1970, and earned his MBA from Marquette University in 1979. He was united in marriage to Pamela Johnson on April 29, 1972 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Menomonie. They were blessed with two sons and made their home in Oconomowoc, WI. Jerry worked for Wisconsin Bell/Ameritech/SBC for 30 years, and retired as a General Manager in 2001.

Jerry’s greatest joys in life were his family and friends. Above everything else he cherished time spent with his grandkids and couldn’t wait to watch their sports and activities as they grew. He was an avid outdoorsman known for his hunting and fishing adventures; he loved spending time at the family cabin on his land and touring around on the four-wheeler. Jerry loved playing cards with Miss Kitty’s Bridge Group and cribbage with his hunting/fishing buddies. Family road trips and weeks spent on numerous Wisconsin lakes were vacation favorites over the years.  

During his 38 years in Oconomowoc Jerry was active with the Oconomowoc Lions Club and known for his work with the Oconomowoc Sports Booster Club, where he had served as President and advisor for many years. If there was something to do in the community to support athletics, from coaching soccer to maintaining fields, Jerry frequently stepped up to lend a hand. His involvement in youth sports brought him much joy.

He was a gentle giant, a man who touched the lives of many through his words of encouragement, faith, wisdom, abundant humor, and everyday practicality. Hard working, hard playing, tolerant, and down to earth, Jerry’s impact on those around him was significant and widespread. Jerry was a natural athlete, competitor, and leader; a star football player in high school, he went on to play for the Blugolds at Eau Claire and become president of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He transferred these talents to the world of business during his successful career at the telephone company. He also brought all of this to his roles as husband and father. He’s left a huge hole in our hearts and will be dearly missed.

Jerry will remain in the heart of his wife of 46 years, Pam; sons, Joshua and Jonathan (Marcy Ellwein); grandchildren, Jacob, Jackson, Annabeth, and Elleanor; siblings, Mary (Nichols) Rassbach, Judy (Carl Willard) Polasky, and Joan Polasky; mother-in-law, Arlene Johnson; sisters-in-law Debra Becker, Dana (Dan) Zagzebski; brothers-in-law Steven (Merrilee) Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Timothy (Janet) Johnson; many nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Richard Johnson, and brother-in-law Ron Becker.   

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate the life of Jerry Polasky will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2nd, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson, WI. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Internment at St. Josephs Cemetery in Menomonie at a later date. Memorials will be donated to a Wisconsin conservation program.