Tony James Kosakoski

Tony James Kosakoski, 60, Cadott, passed away suddenly, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire.

Tony was the youngest child in his family, born Feb. 12, 1964, the son of John and Elaine (Eslinger) Kosakoski.

He graduated from Cadott High School in 1982, then took over the family farm south of Boyd.

Tony married Geraldine “Gerri” Ryba, Sept. 6, 1986, and they would have celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary this year.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. His love for his wife, Gerri, was unwavering. Their bond was a testament to a lifetime of shared joys, sorrows and hard work. Together, they had two children, Andrew and Alyssa, and Tony selflessly raised Gerri’s daughter, Jessica.

Then, in 2001, Tony and Gerri took in his two nephews, and had the privilege to raise Michael and Adam as their own. They were blessed with 11 grandchildren, who meant the world to him.

After several years of farming, in 1992, Tony started his career at Senn Blacktop, as a laborer, then advanced to a sales representative position, writing estimates for customers, hence his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone.

Tony loved being employed at Senn Blacktop, where he built a second family, devoting 32 years to the company. He took pride in his work, always going above and beyond, treating all his co-workers with respect and encouragement. Now, he’s paving the roads to Heaven and will be truly missed.

He had a gift of being able to fix anything. If there was a project his family, friends or neighbors needed help with, he willingly volunteered. His passion was restoring muscle cars, and his pride and joy was a 1970 Plymouth Cuda.

Tony was a family man, who would go out of his way to take care of the ones he loved and spent any free time he had with his wife, children and grandchildren. He shared his love of the outdoors with them, by taking them hunting, fishing, four-wheeling or whatever adventure he thought of.

Tony’s legacy will carry on at every family gathering, every hunting season, every holiday and so many other occasions, that will remind us of this wonderful man who God blessed us with.

He is survived by his wife – Geraldine; son – Andrew (Veronica) Kosakoski; daughter – Alyssa (Matt) Zell; stepdaughter – Jessica Ryba; nephews – Michael (Jolene) Kosakoski and Adam (Crystal) Kosakoski; grandchildren – Aiden, Addison, Landon, Oliver, Genevieve, Jayden, Crandyn, Nora, Asher, Jonathan and Cedar; siblings – Denise (Joseph) Thornton, Dawn (Tom) Hoffman, Kim (Rudy) Klisiewicz and Teres (Rusty) Gindt; sister-inlaw – Lorraine Kosakoski; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents – John and Elaine; his brothers – Jim Kosakoski and John Kosakoski; sister-in-law – Juanita Kosakoski; nephew – Kevin Kosakoski; sister – Diane Kosakoski; and mother-and father-in-law – Bill and Kathleen Ryba.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Boyd, with Father William Felix officiating. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Town of Edson, Chippewa County.

Visitation will held Thursday, Aug. 8, after 3 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome.com.