Gerry J. Fesnick

KIMBALL TOWNSHIP, Wis. - Gerry J. Fesnick, 60, of Defer Road, Kimball Township, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at home with his family and loving wife, Jill, by his side after a courageous battle of 10 months with cancer.

He was born April 12, 1953, in Ironwood, Mich., son of the late John and Catherine (Cech) Fesnick. Gerry attended Harding and Washington grade schools and graduated from the A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, Mich., with the class of 1971.

He worked on his father's mink farm in Bessemer Township and at Rusty's Gas Station in Bessemer. Gerry also owned and operated G and G Construction Company. Since 1990, he was employed by Angelo Luppino as an estimator and project manager. He also worked with Mark Switzer, placing cemetery markers and foundations, and with Bill Tregembo, building garage slabs and basements.

He loved restoring vintage cars and hot rods. He was able to be in the Bessemer Fourth of July parade "one more time" this last summer. He also enjoyed stock car racing and sponsored many cars. Gerry was a member of the Bessemer Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

On July 2, 1999, he was married to the former Jill Anderson in Hurley. She survives.

Also surviving are children, Wendy Longtin, of Iron Mountain, Mich., Gerald "Scooter" Fesnick, of Ironwood, John (Carla) Fesnick, of Eden Prairie, Minn., Jolene (John) Mason, of Beaver Dam, Andy (Courtney) Zaleski, of Ironwood, Jesse (Molly) Zaleski, of Montreal, Ben (Robin) Zaleski, of Winchester, and Julie (Matt) Zaleski, of Phoenix; 15 grandchildren; a brother, Roger Fesnick, of Bessemer; his mother-in-law, Helmi Anderson, of Kimball; and his cousin, Julie Chiapuzio, of Ironwood; and brothers- and sister-in-law, James (Becky) Anderson, of Juneau, Alaska, Lee Anderson, of Ironwood, and Dan (Theresa) Anderson, of Erwin Township, Mich. He is also survived by his dog, Quinn.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Roland Anderson.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, 304 S. Sophie St., in Bessemer. The Rev. Kurt Kovanen will officiate.

Gerry's family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

A luncheon will follow the service at the VFW Post 3673 in Bessemer.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory and the Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Hurley and Bessemer have been entrusted with funeral arrangements.