James M. Sweeney

James “Jim” M. Sweeney, of Waukesha, died on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the Virginia Health & Rehab at the age of 87. He was born in Milwaukee on June 25, 1928 the son of Walter and Alice (nee Eigner) Sweeney. He was a graduate of Messmer High School and St. Benedict’s College in Kansas. On May 20, 1950 he married Elizabeth Fuerst in Milwaukee. Jim taught science at Butler and Horning Middle Schools before retiring in 1988. His famous saying to his students at the end of class was “Go Gusto”. Following his retirement he worked for the Waukesha Water Utility and volunteered as a substitute teacher. Jim was a life member of WEAC, the Waukesha Teachers Retirement Board and the National Education Association.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth of Waukesha and their children, Michael (Nina) Sweeney of St. Paul, MN, Maureen (Michael) Andrews of Muskego and Erin (Thomas) Meyer of Adelaide, South Australia. He was the dear grandfather of Ian James (Jessie) Sweeney of St. Paul, MN, Darren Michael Sweeney of Chicago, Keith Paul Sweeney of Denver, Clint Joseph Sweeney of West Lafayette, IN and Thomas Gregory Meyer of Adelaide, South Australia and great-grandfather of Brendan. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Thomas (Marie nee Gronseth) Sweeney, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Joseph C. and Lillian (nee Crowley) Fuerst Jr. and Buster the Schnauzer.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the 12:00 p.m. (noon) funeral service at the Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Avenue, Waukesha. Graveside services will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorials are appreciated to HAWS, 701 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188 or to Disabled American Veterans, 1253 Schuering Rd. Suite A, De Pere, WI 54115.

Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.