SOMERS, WI (formerly Racine) – Mr. Gene A. Spolar, 75, passed away at WFH – All Saints on Wednesday, September 3, 2014.
He was born in Berwyn, IL on January 30, 1939, the son of the late Anthony and Mary Lou (nee: Settacase) Spolar. He was educated in the suburban Chicago school system and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, IA. While attending Drake, he met the love of his life Carolyn Stuart and they married at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines on September 2, 1961.
Gene and Carolyn owned and operated a number of restaurants over the past 45 years, including a McDonalds franchise in Ohio, the Red Barn in both Racine and Kenosha, and The Farm in Racine. Through his restaurants he was able to mentor and employ hundreds of teenagers; whom for many, was their very first job. He was blessed with longtime friendships with so many employees and loyal customers over the years.
Gene had a great passion for sports and competition, but an even greater passion for coaching. Over the past 40 years, Gene coached (and sponsored) countless youth baseball and football players with RYS, the YMCA and St. Catherine’s High School in Racine. He was a loyal fan of the Arizona Cardinals and for many years, held the title of the longest season ticket holder.
In addition to his loving wife, Carolyn, Gene is survived by his children, Tony (Jeannie) Spolar of Glendale, Tim (Korri) Spolar of Celebration, FL, Tobin (Jenny) Spolar of Racine; his grandchildren, Makenzie, Bennett, Angelo, Jack and Hank; his sister, Marge (John) Curtis of Wood Dale, IL; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Harriet Grandquist, Beverly (Gene) Samuelson both of Iowa, Roger (Beverly) Stuart of Colorado; his godson, Albert Volmut; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, customers and players he coached.
Family and friends are invited to meet with his family for a visitation at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, September 12, 2014 from noon – 3:00 pm. A service celebrating and honoring his life will follow from 3:00 – 4:00 pm with Fr. Bruce Clanton, SDS officiating. Memorials have been suggested for a Gene Spolar Baseball Scholarship at St. Catherine’s High School, which will be established at a later time.
The Spolars thank all of the caregivers. The amazing nurses and doctors in the WFH- All Saints ICU, the dieticians, the people in housekeeping and the homecare providers all went above and beyond expectations in regards to the loving and professional care that was extended to Gene and his family.
Annie DeMark Thompson says
I’m so very sorry for your loss – it has been many, many years since I saw Skin, but can picture the sparkle in his eyes and his contagious smile and passion. Somehow, he made Sunday morning chicken cutting something to look forward to! I’m sorry I never ran into him as an adult, to let him know that he was someone I thought of often and have told many a story about. Wishing you all peace in your many, many memories.
Annie DeMark Thompson
Robert MacDonald says
Skin, you were truly one of a kind. Your enthusiasm for sports and love of coaching is unmatched. I owe you a lot and will always remember kindness and big smile.
Love you!
Mac
Kathy Glines says
We will always remember Gino’s kindness and expertise when he coached our son, Brian. He will be missed by so many.
Vaughn Running says
Gene gave me my first job out of high school. He took a chance on someone that wasn’t very confident. I spent four years at the Red Barn working with him and knowing Carolyn. I still remember the day Carolyn brought Toby, in his carrier, to work. Gene was a great boss, and good soul.
Carolyn, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sharon McFall says
Dear Carol and family,
I,m saddened by the news of Gene, my cousin. He and Marge were the closest to me in age. I have wonderful memories of growing up together, the family picnics, Christmas’s, riding my bike over to their house to go play in the Berwyn park. Gene was a warm and fuzzy person with a huge smile. I’ll never forget. My prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Sharon McFall says
Julie Holroyd Bagg says
So many fond memories of Skin while working my first job at the Red Barn and then The Farm. I learned a lot from him about work and life and will always remember the twinkle in his eye and his ready smile. Carol, Tony, Tim and Toby, my thoughts are with you all and I send hugs to you all.
Ginger Laveau says
As young people, we were truly blessed to be given the opportunity to work (although it was as much fun as it was work…) for the Spolar family. Skin’s passion for kids to be involved in sports gave us an opportunity to learn lifelong skills that we wouldn’t otherwise been lucky enough to receive. Often I share my experiences with my students from the life experiences and great times I had working at the Red Barn and The Farm.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all–Carol, Tony, TIm and Toby–as you remember your husband and dad.
Hugs to you all, Ginger (Nyboe) Laveau
chris dorf says
Mr. Spolar was a wonderful role model for a young man to emulate, as he coached me at St. Bonaventure, and as I saw him help coach youth out of love the love of it. RIP Coach Sploar!
chris dorf, St. Bona’s 1978
pat Madden says
I am so sorry for your loss. proud to call him my coach and friend. Pat an Janet Madden
Wendy Wire (Gatzow) says
Tony, My condolences to your entire family. I never met your Dad but it sounds as if he was an incredible man. You are all blessed and he’ll live on through everyone’s spirit. I’ve never forgotten the story you told of how your dad tied you up to the back of a car & drove real slow so you’d get in shape for football? Is that true?!
Carla (Nielsen) Blanton says
Skin’s love of life and sports were infectious, and he impacted not just his own kids but all of us who were lucky enough to be around him.
We learned the value of work but also that work could be fun and could be family. I always tell people that of all the jobs I�۪ve had ��� and I�۪ve had many ��� that my favorite job is my first one.
All my love and prayers to Carol, Tony, Tim and Toby.
Geri Nyboe says
To a man whose heart was as large as any athletic field, whose passion for sports mirrored my fathers. The sportsmanship and hardwork that Gene taught on the field transferred to his players in their success off the field. I loved working for Gene at my first ‘real’ job at Red Barn. My memories of him and all he gave to me and others truly exemplify the great man, coach, boss and friend he was. My deepest condolences to Carol, Tony, Tim and Toby during this difficult time. Blessing and Prayers, Geri Nyboe
Jerome and Susan Grant says
My thoughts and prayers are with you. It is clear that his many gifts to the community, his family, and so many young people will live on. Truly a life and legacy to be celebrated.
Ruth Klappauf Retzlaff says
Dear Carol and family,I am saddened to hear of Gene’s passing. I still tell stories of working at the Red Barn (the Farm) and the great memories from there. Until I had children, I don’t think I ever really appreciated the confidence he gave us by the amount of trust he gave all of us teenage employees. His passing leaves a big void in this world. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ruth (Klappauf) Retzlaff
Joe, Debbie, Maddie & Tori Crenshaw says
Toby, Jenny, Makenzie, Bennett and family,
We are so, so sorry to hear about your dad. He had quite the presence in Racine. We hope that the memories keep you comforted in the days to come. Our thoughts are with you all.