Joseph “Joe” Masnica

Joseph “Joe” Masnica, a longtime resident of Port Washington, passed away at the Pavilion at Glacier Valley on Sunday, March 19, 2023, just 17 days after he lost the love of his life, Janet. He was 84 years old.

Joe was born in Milwaukee on July 30, 1938, the son of Joseph L. and Elizabeth “Betty” (nee Kanyuh) Masnica.

He grew up in Milwaukee and attended North Division High School, graduating with the Class of 1957.

After high school, Joe served his country in the U.S. Army, serving honorably as an ammunition specialist, where he qualified as an expert marksman.   

On Oct. 30, 1968, Joe married the love of his life, Janet Hansen (nee Hayward), in Waukegan, Ill.

The couple moved from Milwaukee to Port Washington in 1970 to raise their family.

Joe managed many local grocery stores, including the Sentry store in Port Washington and the Pick ’n Save stores in Grafton, Milwaukee and Wauwatosa.  After the grocery business, Joe took a position as an account executive with Hansen/Stahl Sales and Marketing in Grafton until he retired in 2015.

Joe was a member of the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post in Port Washington and enjoyed playing golf in leagues at Edgewater Golf Club in Grafton and going on daily walks with his wife and their dogs along the bluffs of Port Washington. Joe was also a longtime member of the old D&G Club softball and bowling teams.

Joe is survived by his four children, Ray (Carmen) Hansen, Allen Hansen, Scott (Kim) Hansen and Kelly Masnica.

He is further survived by nine grandchildren, Carolyn, Eric, Brittany (Mitchell) Wroblewski, Ray Jr., Christopher, Nicholas, Erica, Erin and Emily, two great-grandchildren, Camryn and Weston, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth, his wife Janet, his brother Kenny (the late Shirley) Masnica, and three sisters, Dolly (the late Ray) Pfeifle, Geri (the late Bob) Schilling and Kathleen (the late Rudy) Prostanick.

In accordance with Joe’s wishes, private funeral services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Center for Veteran Issues in Milwaukee.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Masnica family.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.