Kenosha- Travis Austin Bestwick, 25, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 8:08 am in Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident that occurred early Sunday morning in Kenosha. Travis was born on May 29, 1983 in Baraboo, WI to Rick Bestwick and Nanci Hulchiy. He lived most of his life in Lake County, Illinois until moving to Kenosha 5 years ago. Travis was employed as an extremely knowledgeable customer service specialist for Argus Wireless in Zion, IL. Travis definitely lived life to the fullest. He was a fanatic about riding motorcycles, four-wheelers and snowmobiles – though his deepest passion was for racing his “Green Machine” car. Above all, Travis was happiest when in the surroundings of his family and friends. He loved to spend time with his “Princess” Arianna and his “little buddy” Jordynn. Surviving are his parents, Rick and Nanci Bestwick of Kenosha; sister, Shawna Bestwick; niece, Arianna; nephew, Jordynn; aunts, Judy (Michael) Guzoldo, Diane (Robert) Motyka, Marybeth (Michael) Madry, Kileen (Louie) Koutromanos and Peggy (Scott) Smith; uncles, Stewart (Marjorie) Bestwick, Jack (Verna) Bestwick, David (Lyla) Orrico; Michael, William and John Hulchiy; and the love of his life, Dana Neises. Travis is further survived by many other aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends too numerous to mention by name. Travis was preceded in death by his grandparents, Michael Hulchiy, Dorothy Hulchiy, Lester Bestwick, Charles Orrico, Lorraine Orrico-Pattee and Bill Pattee; uncle, Robert Hulchiy; and very dear cousin, Michael Madry. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 7:30 pm with Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-7:30 pm. All are invited to return to the funeral home on Friday beginning at 1:30 pm for the procession that will leave for Sunset Ridge Memorial Park at 2:00 pm. A heartfelt note of thanks to all the first responders of Kenosha Police and Fire; Flight-For-Life; and Froedtert Hospital for trying to save our beloved Travis. May God bless all of you!
Aunt Peggy says
Dearest Rick, Nancy & Shawna,
My heart & prayers go out to you. Travis was such a handsome smiling, full of life young man! One of my favorite memories of Travis was the summers he would come & visit Julian, Ashton & I We would go boating on Lake Michigan. We had a blast. He always was such a pleasure to be around & truly you could see the love he had for his family & friends.
Aunt Peggy
Sean Carlton says
R.I.P
Michele Vogelman says
You will truly be missed by many!!!
There will be many stories told by alot of people to keep you close to their hearts. Your passing will be hard on all that knew you well, but your spirit will continue to make it easier for us all.
With all my love,
Your Favorite Cuz
Michele and Family
Trent "Voice of Reason" Eckhardt says
Coming to grips with your departure, little man. I miss you terribly–we all do. You have more friends than you can possibly have imagined–it’s amazing.
Have you taught God about the Pro Tree yet?
:O)
Shon Webb says
Racing Brother you have left a lot of your friends and family here after you. You will be missed but not forgotten. I pray for your family that God gives them the strength deal to with the passing of you & just remember all the good times you shared with them. Godspeed & One Love
Shon Webb of Broke Brothers Racing (Chgo Il,)
Dennis Parello says
Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss. You and your family our in our prayers.
melissa haugen says
Uncle Ricky, Aunt Nancy, Shawna and to the rest of our family,
I’m sorry for the loss of Travis. Even though i didn’t get the chance to meet him, i’m heartbroken over this tragedy. from what i heard he was a good young man and he loved his family.
you guys are in our thoughts and prayers. i love you all.
Missy (cousin of travis) danny,savannah and chloe haugen
Michelle "Springer" Diaz says
I wanted to let the family know that I am so sorry about Travis. He was like a brother to me and he will be GREATLY missed. I lived withe the Bestwick family for a short time and I loved them so much. Travis would pick on me as if I were his sister.
I love you!!!
Scott Smith says
My condolences. I have been a part of your familys life just a short time yet grieve heavily over your loss.
Lori Taylor says
My deepest sympathy on your great loss. I will always keep Travis and his family in my thoughts and prayers. Travis was always been a kind and respectful towards me when he lived with my son Nick.
God bless you and your family.
Melvin D. says
Sorry for your lost. I seen the accident. Me and my wife was heading west on 52nd street heading back to Milwaukee. Shortly after 2:00am.
Dottie & Roger Smith says
We are friends of Peggy and Scott Smith and were heartbroken to hear about your loss. I pray for the strength for you all to go on. Peggy tells me what a fun loving and good son and brother and nephew he was. I only hope that his memory will keep you in the roughest of times.
Sincerely,
Dottie and Roger Smith
Mary Rochon says
While our hearts are broken, your smile and spirit shine on.
Instead of waving to you at the store, I’ll wave to you in Heaven.
My prayers are with you Travis, your family and all of your friends.
shawna bestwick says
I LOVE YOU TRAVY….my brother but more than that MY BESTFRIEND….
Joe " Racing Dad" Webb of Broke Brothers Racing says
The Street Racing world and RSD will never be the same without “TITO B!” You will one to never replace, man and we love you bro!
Terry and Lorri (Machnik) Guy says
Rick & Nancy,
SO sorry to hear about Travis. My only regret is that we never got the opportunity to meet this loved one of ours. If only we could close our eyes and go backwards in time. But now is God’s time with Travis whom I am sure is now looking out over you.
Love and tight hugs to you,
lorri
brian ( outlaw) & helene collins says
rick / nancy & family
so sorry to hear about your loss travis was so full of life
just wanted you and your family to know your in our thoughts and prayers
Marc & Kim Henderson says
You were like a 2nd son to us Travis, and a brother to Tiffany. You were loved & will be dearly missed by our house. Who’s going to offer me that daily hug anymore?
Aunt Lesta says
Dearest Rick, Nanci and Shawna.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be so.
I don’t understand why such a good natured and loving young man should be taken from us way to soon. I haven’t been around many years, but when around Travis and his entire family, it was apparent that they all loved each other deeply and family was first for the four of them. For whatever reason Travis had fulfilled his mission on this earth and God brought him back home to him…Love Always, Aunt Lesta and Uncle Jack
Becki Pope Connelly says
My heart goes out to your family as they begin a grief journey no parent or family should ever have to walk. My condelances to you, I lost my daughter 5 years ago at the age of two, and my baby brother Howard here recently. I just wished to tell you that your family is in my thoughts and my prayers. If you ever need an ear feel free to contact me via my email.
Angie Mercer says
I am very sorry for your loss.
UNCLE LOUIE AND AUNTIE KIKI says
RICK, NANCI AND SHAWNA AND CHILDREN. NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY THE SORROW AND PAIN THAT YOU ARE GOING THOUGH NOW, BUT TIME WILL HELP EASE THE PAIN. TRAVIS WAS A LOVING AND CARING SON ,NEPHEW, AND BROTHER AND FRIEND TO MANY MANY PEOPLE. HE WILL BE MISS DEEPLY BY MANY, BUT HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE AND IS JUST WAITING FOR US TO JOIN HIM AND WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE.MY MEMORIES OF HIS BIRTH WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER. WE WERE SO PROUD OF YOU NANCI FOR ALL THAT YOU WENT THOUGH THOSE FIRST FEW WEEKS AND HOW PROUD RICK WAS OF HIS FIRST BORN. HE HAS TOUCH MANY LIFE DURING HIS SHORT TIME HERE BUT IS LOVED AND REMEMBER FOREVER. I LOVED THAT LITTLE SMILE HE HAD ALL THE TIME. I HOPE THAT TIME WILL HEAL THE GREAT PAIN THAT YOU ARE GOING THOUGH AT THIS TIME. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING CALL US WE ARE FAMILY AND WE ARE HERE FOR EACH OTHER. LOVE YOU LOUIE AND KILEEN
Ashley Degner says
Travis will always be remembered. Rest in peace and I’ll see you again one day! 🙂 God Bless
Ramona says
I never had the pleasure to meet him, but my heart goes out to you and your family during your loss. May God be with you always and forever.
Doug "Haytoes" Juhrend says
Travis, we always had a great time together, street racing, going to Florida, Ohio, Memphis, GLD, WIR. You were always there for me with a helping hand or a smart remark just when I need it. You will be greatly missed by Tiffany and I. Racing just wont be the same, like at RSD when you were on top of the totterhome with your mega phone asking if anyone wanted some…. one of many fond memories…..
Shawn & Anne Tokarz says
Rick & Family
Our deepest sympathy to you. We heard about your tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Brian Hemstreet says
Uncle Rick,Aunt Nanci & Shawna,
Im so sorry for the lose of your son,your brother & my cousin. I’m very glad I was able to meet him for the 1st time @ our grandma’s passing last year.
He was a great man, loved Shawna’s children as if they were his own. He was definitely a family man as it showed with how he presented himself. I will always remember talking about Da Bears with him since we are both Bears Fanatics.
Travis you will be missed dearly. The world needs more people like you. My family’s prayers are with all of you.
Much love to all our family members & friends of Travis.
Brian & Luz Hemstreet & kids Joey,Lupita,Steven & Payton.
PANHEAD JOHN says
To the Bestwick family,
I’m very sorry to hear about your loss.
John and Marilynn Janiszewski says
We are friends of The Madry’s and just want you to know that Travis and Michael will share their time well together. Heaven will not be the same with the two of them together again. Always remember and cherish the wonderful times spent, it’s those memories that will bring you your greatest comfort. We are sorry for your loss.