Obituary for Vincent A. Sweeney

Vincent A. Sweeney, 94, of La Crosse and formerly of Barre Mills passed away on Wednesday, Sept.22, 2021, at Eagle Crest South. He was born August 28, 1927 in La Crosse to Joseph and Julia Sweeney. Vincent was a 1946 graduate of Aquinas High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948 and was honorably discharged in 1953. He married Phyllis H. Scheckel Sept 17,1949, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Eastman. He was employed as a welder for Trane Company for 39 years and then for Altech for a short time before his retirement. His welding skills had him doing repair jobs overseas as well as various sites around the country. It was rumored that Sweeney could weld upside down under water. He and Phyllis were founding members of St. Leo the Great and later became members of St. Joseph and Mary Mother of the Church Catholic churches. He was steadfast in his faith. He and Phyllis lived in Barre Mills on140 acres with their 10 children and raised crops and various livestock. Vince was handy fixing the inevitable breakdowns in herenton a hobby farm. He went off to work each morning with his tin lunch pail and returned in the afternoon to enjoy a beer with some brick cheese or smoked carp. He also owned a welding shop in Barre Mills to earn extra money to supplement his regular income as well as for special treats such as stops at Roadside Tavern to visit with friends and neighbors. In his spare time, a fishing pole, golf club, bow and arrow, gun or bowling ball could be found in his hands. He loved Euchre, the Packers, Brewers, Bucks and Badgers. He enjoyed Friday night fish fry with a brandy Manhattan. He was a perfectionist as was evident in his work as well as striving to hang tinsel so they hung flawlessly on the family’s Christmas trees. In later years, heand Phyllis enjoyed camping at Meadow Valley in Necedah. The also traveled to China, a dream Vince had since childhood, and in his later years, he visited Ireland. Survivors include nine children, Daniel Sweeney, Patricia McKnight, Robert (Bonnie Pettis) Sweeney, David(Mary Loken) Sweeney, Thomas Sweeney, Colleen (James) Gluhosky, John(Bonnie Gilbertson) Sweeney, Rita (Michael) Richmond and Margaret “Meg” (Joel) Torgerud ; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Clara Tyler and Theresa Corbett; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Sweeney; special friend, Evelyn Hammes; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a daughter, Jane Sweeney; a son in infancy, Joseph Sweeney; two daughters-in-law Patricia and Susan Sweeney; and four brothers, Joseph, Quentin, Jerome Sweeney and Leo, who died in infancy. A mass of Christian Burial will be heldat 11 a.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Holy Trinity Parish, 1333 13th St., La Crosse, WI. Father Rick Roberts will officiate. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery at St. Joseph’s Ridge. Friends may call at Holy Trinity Parish before the service from 9 a.m. until the timeof services. Memorials may be given to Aptiv(formerly Riverfront), the North American Squirrel Association or Catholic Charities.