John Robert Peszko or affectionately called "Big John" by many friends, passed away at home Friday, February 23, 2024 after a 4 year battle with Covid.  John was born October 2, 1961 in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated from Port Washington High School in 1980.

At the age of 14, John started work installing lawns.  After high school he spent warmer weather running charter fishing boats on Lake Michigan and supplemented the off season working as a bouncer, doing heating and air conditioning, and other assorted jobs.

John dreamed of a career in the army.  He enlisted but was honorably discharged after 6 weeks due to a need for back surgery.  John always loved cars so he then trained and became a car salesman.  He was awarded top 5 new car salesman, in the nation, for Chrysler, for several years and was selected to give out the first Borg Warner trophy to over 65,000 attendees at the Crandon races in Crandon, Wisconsin. After his son joined football, John quit the car business to become a machinist.  He felt he missed too many practices and games and wanted to be there to support his son. After a shoulder injury at work, requiring 2 surgeries, John attended NWTC in Green Bay and received his Associate Degree in Supply Chain Management.

John met Laura Shallow in 2011 in Long Lake, Wisconsin. At least 10 people feel they should get the credit for that fateful meeting! They married in 2013 and together ran Shining Stars Preschool & Childcare Center, LLC in Suamico and then built Shining Stars Care & Education Center Hobart, LLC. John was proud of the play structures he built and work he did for the schools.

*John was a volunteer for the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department & EMS and the Newald Fire Department. He was certified as a driver and took many classes towards EMS.

*John was a staunch supporter of our 2nd amendment rights and completed training in Illinois and Utah and became a Concealed Carry Instructor. He started FSIG, LLC with 2 partners to help others learn to safely carry.

*John volunteered as a Hunter Safety Instructor for the Wisconsin DNR for many youth over many seasons. Lots of kids will remember learning from and enjoying their first hunt with John.

*John volunteered by taking disabled Vets on Lake Michigan Fishing Excursions for over 10 years.

*John loved fishing, duck hunting, deer hunting, pheasant hunting and training dogs, and was excited to be an active member of The Packerland Bear Hunters Association.

John loved his son Jonathan Peszko and his little buddy Zachary Peszko, a step-grandson and perpetual sidekick.  They did everything together and particularly enjoyed weekends in Long Lake Wisconsin fishing.

John is survived by his wife Laura and their dog Star, his mom, Ruth Balog Dommer (Glenn), his siblings Cindy Hron (Fred), Jackie Wisler (David Manske), and Sue Godersky (Dave) and his step-siblings Denise Hofmeister (Dan) and Kim Apfelbeck and a step-daughter Jennifer Yenor.

John is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he looked forward to spending time with and that love was reciprocated.

John is preceded in death by his dad, Robert Peszko, grandparents Mildred and Hank O'kray, grandparents Art and Audrey Dommer, step brother in law Phil Apfelbeck and grandma Cecelia Peszko.

John requested no funeral services or showing but a celebration in his honor is planned for this summer. Details to follow.