Gabriel "Gabe" S. Szecsy

Gabe Szecsy ended his years-long battle with unrelenting Parkinsons Disease on January 23, 2025 with his broken-hearted family surrounding him at his home. He was born March 29, 1953 in Milwaukee, WI to George and Katalin (Egner) Szecsy, the fourth of eight children and their first child born in America.

Gabe was five when his father died, and he became a widower at age 22 when his first wife, Ellen (Spranger), passed away shortly after giving birth to their daughter, Jennifer.

Two years later, Gabe married Laura (Norgord), a neighbor whom he had known since he was 14. Together, they raised Jenny and four other children who came along in the following years. Gabe and Laura celebrated joyful occasions and weathered difficult ones together through 47 years of marriage.

Gabe (or “Pops” as he was affectionately known by some) was an avid outdoorsman. He was in his element when he was out in the great outdoors camping, fishing, swimming and bicycling. However, his greatest pleasure came from spending time with his family. Summers he would spend 10 days in the wilderness of Canada, fishing with his son, Ryan, and friends. Each year, he was in his glory planning for and camping with some of his grandkids. Oh, how they looked forward to that special time with their grandpa! For fun and a math lesson, Gabe taught each grandchild to play Cribbage. To this day it is a part of most family gatherings, and some grandchildren became so proficient at it that they were able to beat the master player, Gabe.

Gabe worked for the City of Waukesha Engineering Department for 25 years, retiring only when the Parkinsons made his job too difficult. He and Laura loved taking day trips throughout the state of Wisconsin. His first airplane trip was to Guatemala, to escort his new grandson back to Wisconsin for his adoptive parents. He unfortunately had to return without the baby, due to neglected legal work in Guatemala. The adoption agency subsequently flew over and were able to bring the baby, Riley, home to us.

Gabe is survived by his loving wife, Laura, and his devoted children, Jenny (Rob) Leistiko, Amy (Mark) Hoth, Erica (Randy) Leistiko, Kevin (fiancée Sara Yaeger), and Ryan (Bekah). Bringing immense delight and pride to his life are his grandchildren, Quenten (Abril), Ray, Riley, Sadie, Rogan, Russell, Megan, Max, Rick, Evelyn, Hunter, Rory and Jade. Other survivors include Gabe’s siblings, Maria (Charles) Heder, George (Kathy), Steve (Sue), Theresia (David) Klein, Kathy (the late Noel) Rahn, Peter (Kitty), Bela (Jane) and Norgord brothers-in-law, Greg (Mary Ellen), John (Mary Kathryne), Ken, and Tom (Val). Also surviving Gabe are his mother- and father-in-law, James and Bethana Norgord and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gabe was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Ellen, infant grandson Mark Hoth II, sister-in-law Dawn Szecsy and brothers-in-law, Leo Goodrich and Noel Rahn.

There will be a gathering for Gabe at St. Paul Catholic Church, (Corner of Hwy D and Hwy 83, Genesee Depot) on Friday, January 31st, 2025 with visitation from 9:00 AM until the funeral Mass begins at 11:00 am. 

Gabe’s family would like to greatly thank Katie of Brighton Hospice and the staff at Heritage Court Memory Care facility for Gabe’s care these last few months. All of these people treated him with respect and dignity, compassion and affection. They went to great lengths to care or the rest of the family, too. Our heartfelt thanks go out to them all.

Memorials in Gabe’s name may be made to the family for Masses to be said or to St. Paul Parish S38 W31602 Wern Way Waukesha, WI 53189 or Pro-Life Wisconsin.