Patrick A. Hackett

Patrick A Hackett, 85, of Grafton, Wis., passed away on May 7, 2020.

Patrick was born on Aug. 9, 1934. He grew up in Green Bay, Wis.  He graduated from Central Catholic High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Patrick served in the Army from 1954 to 1956.

Patrick loved his work. He owned three local family shoe stores, Graebel’s and two Red Wing shoe stores. He was the co-founder and early president of the Prescription Footwear Association, which became an international entity with members in Canada and Great Britain. Patrick was the director of the National Shoe Retailers Association and at the request of the Mexican government organized a buying group of major U.S. retailers to aid the Mexican footwear industry.

Patrick loved being a dad. He was smart, funny, loving, and generous. He was the dad who drove the boat while the kids water-skied. He was the dad who cleaned the fish we caught. He was the dad who made (awesome) blueberry and banana pancakes or fried potatoes and corn for “big Sunday breakfasts” and his famous beef roast for Sunday dinners. He was the dad that our friends talked to when they had troubles.

He loved his friends. Whether it was warming up his homemade Swiss steak over a campfire in Wyoming after a day hunting, planning a business deal or the next big opportunity over drinks, going out to a great restaurant or sitting in front of the fireplace in the lobby at his apartment, he loved to be surrounded by his friends, and he shared endless stories of the wonderful times that he experienced with them.

Patrick was preceded in death by his wife Patricia L (Beehner) Hackett, his mother Dorothy Hackett, and his beloved Aunt Cecilia and Uncle Jack.  

Patrick is survived by his first wife Rosemary (Chiuminatto) Hackett; his children Kevin P. Hackett, Laura M. Hackett Knain (Matt), Michael P. Hackett, Jack P. Hackett (Kelly) and Claire E. Hackett; and his grandson Sampson Hackett.

He is further survived by his step-grandson Bradley M Knain (Merrill) and his two great-grandchildren Josie and Kerrick.

Funeral service in memory of Patrick will take place Thursday Aug. 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. at St Monica Catholic Church, 5681 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217.

Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until Mass begins.   

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Capuchin Community Services, P.O. Box 5830, Milwaukee, WI  53205-0830; St. Ben’s community meal program (https://www.capuchincommunityservices.org/ways-to-help/donations).