August J. 'Gus' Giancola

HURLEY, Wis. — August J. “Gus” Giancola, 87, a longtime resident of Hurley, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, while a resident of Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

August was born on July 30, 1935, in Bronx, New York, the son of Irene (Dalfonso) and August John Giancola Sr. He attended Lincoln High School in Hurley and graduated in 1953. August continued his education for one year at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan, and completed his bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He went on to get his master’s degree in education at UW-Superior.

On Aug. 25, 1956, August married the love of his life, Gretchen Faye Julin, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hurley, by the Rev. Michael Prock.

August was a science and biology teacher at the Hurley School District for 32 years, retiring in 1993. He also was a very talented bricklayer.

August was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hurley, the Knights of Columbus and the bricklayer’s union. He had served on the Iron County Board of Supervisors.

He coached basketball and track, loved to fish on the Gile Flowage, hunted at Birch Hill for 40 years, was a Green Bay Packers fan, enjoyed going to the casino, and supported his children and grandchildren in their athletic endeavors.

August is survived by his beloved wife, Gretchen; five children, Sandy Joustra, Gary (Theresa) Giancola and Jay Giancola, all of Hurley, Gina (Mark) Movrich, Bessemer, Michigan, and Nicole Giancola (Casey Levra), Montreal; 20 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; a sister, Claire Nichols, Ann Arbor, Michigan; his sister-in-law, Carole Romanowski, Hurley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, Tim “Chub” Joustra; and a grandson, Bradley Giancola.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 404 Iron St., in Hurley, with the Rev. Hrudaya Raju Sunkara, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

A celebration of August’s life will be held at Chub & Sandy’s in Hurley immediately upon return from the cemetery.

The family extends a special thanks to Avanti Care staff and Villa Maria for the loving care given to August.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Michigan, is assisting the family with their arrangements. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.