Samuel P. Hronis, age 90, of Oshkosh, died Wednesday evening, April 5, 2006 at Mercy Medical Center. He was born on June 16, 1915 in Oshkosh to Peter and Nicoletta (Fotos) Hronis. Sam married Bess Karaganias on September 6, 1936 in Milwaukee.

Sam was employed by the Wawautosa School District in the maintenance department, retiring in 1970, and also owned and operated a business as a concrete mason. He was a well known and faithful volunteer for the Salvation Army and Father Carr's Place 2 B. During WWII Sam served in the U.S. Navy as a medic during the invasion of Okinawa. His love for the outdoors led him to build his own home in the Wautoma area where he enjoyed hunting and "walking the land". This truly was the best time of Sam's later life. He spent his days in the woods and developed a tree cutting and wood business, delivering wood to customers in the area and making many friends along the way. He also was a volunteer driver for the Commission of Aging, which took him and his wife on many exciting road trips. Sam was a man of many talents, always ready to lend a helping hand to others, either family members or the community at large. He contributed many pieces to the "Letters to the Editor", and had an ability to compose poetry on a variety of subjects. Sam always told you how it was (whether you wanted to hear or not) and was well respected because of it. He always had candy in his pocket, a twinkle in his eye, and a joke (some off-color) if you needed to hear one.

Survivors include his wife of 69 years: Bess Hronis of Oshkosh; two daughters: Nikki Hronis of Oshkosh and Evelyn (Robert) Struzinski of Arizona; three grandchildren: Dr. Lynn Blair, Christine Knake, and Bobby Struzinski; a sister: Mary Leeser of Milwaukee; his favorite grandcat: Pooker; special friends: Father Carr, Ken Nicholson, Michelle, Captain Horsh; the gang at West Pointe Bank; and Trina and Jim MacLean. Preceding Sam in death are his parents and three brothers, Gust Hronis, Alex Hronis, and James Hronis.

Memorial funeral services will be conducted at a later date. Per Sam's request, no visitation will be held and cremation will be completed.

A Requiem to An Oak

Twas during a cold, blustery, wintery night,

Not a soul or a star in sight.

The mighty oak came crashing down.

We heard nothing, not a sound.

The pride of my woodland lay dead on the frozen ground;

It's mighty limbs gnarled, twisted and bent,

Pointed skyward, as if to rent a hole in the sky,

To ask the God who dwells on high,

To plead, why did I have to die?

The voice from up above was heard to sadly reply,

There is a time to live and a time to die.

-by Sam Hronis

Condolences may be given online at www.seefeldfuneral.com.

Seefeld Funeral and

Cremation Services
(920) 236-7750