Thomas “Jake” L. Gosa of Waukesha, died at his home on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at the age of 83. He was born in Waukesha on November 6, 1932 the son of Frederick and Mae (nee Fink) Gosa Sr. On September 1, 1951 he married Darline Dvorak. Jake worked for WE Energies for 37 years, retiring in 1988. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. As an active member of the Waukesha Elks Lodge #400 since 1986, Jake enjoyed volunteering for the Monday morning crew and was also a member of the Wisconsin Gas Company Old Timers.
Jake was an inspiration to all who knew him. Through his marriage of 64 years, he showed us what true love, looks, sounds and feels like. His commitment to his family and his profession defined the words dedication and determination for those around him. His playful spirit taught us that life, at its root is joyful, and that every bit of serious hard work deserves a bit of light-hearted relaxation. He will be remembered. He will be missed. He will continue to serve as an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
He will be sadly missed by his wife of 64 years, Darline, of Waukesha, and their children Michael (Robin) Gosa of Waukesha, Jeffrey (Michele) Gosa of Coleman, and Patrick (Barbara) Gosa of Waukesha. He was the dear grandfather of Jeffrey (Michelle) Gosa of Abrams, Heather (Dan) Johnson of Waukesha, Jennifer (Michael) Galbraith of Pound, Joshua (Rebecca) Gosa of Wauwatosa, Jonathan (Beth) Gosa of Abrams, Brittany Gosa (fiancé Jed Froeming) of Waukesha, Evan Gosa (fiancé Mackenzie Farrell) of Waukesha and Connor and Dylan Gosa of Waukesha and great-grandfather of Michaela, Jack and Mya Galbraith; Madison and Hannah Johnson; Vincent and Eleanor Gosa. He is further survived by his many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Frederick, Clayton (Virginia) and Gerald (Elizabeth) Gosa.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the 12:15 PM Elks Lodge of Sorrow followed by 12:30 p.m. funeral Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 822 N. East Avenue, Waukesha. Interment will immediately follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials in Jake’s name are appreciated to the Waukesha Elks Lodge #400, 2301 Springdale Road, Waukesha, WI 53186; the Susan G. Komen of Southeast WI, 2025 W. Oklahoma Ave. Suite 116 Milwaukee, WI 53215 or to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association, 2819 W. Highland Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53208.
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.randledable.com
for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.