John Szymaszek

When I moved to Wisconsin, John and Julie were two of the first people I met. No matter where I've come or gone I've yet to find or make truer friends. The muskie trips to Clam Lake, camping on the "island" on the Mississippi, the yearly trips to the Willow folk fest, Sunday jam sessions that began in Julies living room and gravitated to the Arthur Tavern and John and my annual NASCAR trip are without question some of my most cherished memories. We ran fast, played hard and took down more fish than could be lied about. I'm going to miss my friend.

I am so sorry for your loss. John and Julie were good friends of my son Steve who passed away in July 2014. I know Steve thought very highly of both.

Remember John coming to Minocqua to go on fishing trips and partying evenings by the fire and enjoyed his guitar. He was a great family friend and will surely be missed.

Any time I see a hummingbird I hum the tune we used to hum together when I was young. My parents were good friends and John treated us kids like his own. Music was always a big part of John's life and we've shared some great memories together. He taught me how to play guitar and i still have the binder of sheet music we put together. We got to see Willy Nelson perform - one of my favorite memories. "We'll keep the music playing that'll be as good as goodbye" Love you John.

Friends you can count on, confide in, depend on whole heartedly, are priceless and dear. Both John and Julie were these to me. We shared the deepest of thoughts, laughed ourselves silly, and had no secrets. Appreciated nature in all its glory, and shared many Camping outings fireside. John was my personal mechanic, always looking out for me. Julie and I talked Garden talk for hours. We spent hours on Johns boat with me cheering them on, while they competed for the first caught, largest and most fish competition- all in a day’s fun!! We all seemed to be on the same page. I’m left now, to turn the page, although I will reread it until the day I also pass.