Joseph C. 'Joe' Pecotte

HURLEY, Wis. - Joseph C. "Joe" Pecotte, 82, passed away peacefully, Sunday, June 10, 2018, at 4 p.m. in his home, surrounded by his family.

Joe was born in Alton, Ill., on Oct. 28, 1935, to Clyde and Evelyn Pecotte. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bobi, (2009), his son, Joseph (1963), his brother, Fred (1999), and grandson, Joe (2017).

During his childhood, he played piano, along with many other instruments. As an adult, he used that knowledge to direct a local drum and bugle corps, The Ambassadors. He had a great passion for music, even writing and performing his own music.

Joe graduated from Hurley High School in 1953. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army where he became a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne until 1958.

On Nov. 5, 1955, Joe married the love of his life, Roberta "Bobi" Lehocky, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. Together they had seven children, and many years of adventures. They defined "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health." Joe loved Bobi madly, and missed her desperately ever since her death in 2009. They are re-united once again.

For most if his life he worked as a union bricklayer, and was always proud of his work. Raising seven kids was never easy, and money was sometimes tight, but Joe was never too proud to take any job to make ends meet.

In 1989, he and Bobi became the owners of the Liberty Bell Chalet. Joe learned the business from Grandma Carmella; she taught him how to cook, at which he was fantastic. He made amazing porketta, prime rib, chicken cacciatore and polenta, and the best Italian bread. He used his skills to cook wild game for his friends on Sundays during the fall.

Joe also coached women's slow-pitch softball. He started when Bobi and her friends played, and continued to coach his daughters and granddaughter. He loved coaching, and his girls loved having him sitting on the bench, even when he would yell at them for missing a routine fly.

In later years, he became president of the Eagle Bluff Golf Course. He was driven to make improvements to the course because his father always felt it could be an outstanding place to golf. He resided in this position for more than 20 years. He enjoyed being the president of Eagle Bluff, but his real love came from golfing with his friends.

Joe was a member of the Hurley Lions Club.

As he and Bobi moved into retirement, they would spend their winters in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and traveling the country. They loved having new experiences. It was in Myrtle Beach where they came up with the idea of expanding the Bell into an Italian Market. It was a dream of Bobi's, and Joe always wanted to make all of her dreams come true.

Surviving are his children: A son, Scott (Julie), Montreal; five daughters, Terri (Matt) King, Hurley, Michelle (Dan) Pozzani, Montreal, Andrea (Mark) Kivisto, Menomonee Falls, Gina (Jim) Kivisto, Hurley, and Jerri (John) Sokol, Montreal; grandchildren, Samantha Pecotte, Milwaukee, Kirkie and Gabby Pecotte, South Carolina, Sonni Lauren, Hurley, Scott Mieloszyk, Hurley, Chrissy Anderson, Gile, Garyn (Mike) Partanen, Bessemer, Mich., Dominic Pozzani, Montreal, Micki (Jason) Rowe, Pence, Nicole (Tyler) Wicklund, Pence, Tyler, Brandon and Amber Kivisto, all of Menomonee Falls, Jessica Frello (Aurora), Cody (Erin) Kivisto, Appleton, Cole Kivisto, Hurley, and Jaxon and Julia Sokol, Montreal; as well as many great-grandchildren.

Out of respect for Joe's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be held for family only, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley on Saturday, June 17. Burial and military rites will take place immediately afterward at St. Mary's Cemetery in Hurley.

The family will receive friends and loved ones at a celebration of life at The Bell Chalet beginning at noon on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942, or to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, where Joe was a lifetime member.