Gerald Anthony Pelrine

     Gerald Anthony Pelrine, 64, of Sturgeon Bay, died Wednesday afternoon, January 15, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

     He was born June 13, 1955 at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, IL, the son of William Francis Pelrine and Mary “Patricia” (Driskill) Pelrine. Gerald was raised in a devout Catholic family and grew up attending St. Issac Jogues Parish in Niles, IL. His brothers served as acolytes at dozens of Masses every week. Gerald’s family moved to Wisconsin in 1971, and he was initially enrolled at Divine Word Seminary (for high school) in East Troy, WI. Sensing a different life path, he transferred to Waukesha South High School, where he discovered his passion for theatre, music, and performance. Upon his graduation from Waukesha South in 1973, he pursued that passion and studied theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he earned his bachelor's degree.

     He moved to Door County and initially lived in Juddville, just north of Egg Harbor. Gerald was a founding member of the American Folklore Theatre (AFT) in Fish Creek in 1990 along with other fellow long-time members of the (original) The Heritage Ensemble, Fred “Doc” Heide and Fred Alley. He wrote and starred in numerous one-man shows over the years. Gerald was most proud to have played, General Sherman, John Muir, and Clarence Darrow. He was sought out to be a part of the John Muir tribute CD in California in 1998. Gerald played the lead in “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw, at Peninsula Players Theatre. He was a professional puppeteer in the 1970s and worked with Robin Reed, who was the original partner of James Hensen of the Muppets. Gerald eventually established his own (puppet) company, “Sister Bay Puppet Company” in 2000.

     He was blessed to be a father with the birth of his daughter, Genevieve. Gerald loved her very much and was so proud of her and the path before her.

     Through mutual friends, he met Tiffany Kristen Koskubar in 2010. They enjoyed eight wonderful years together, before getting married June 9, 2018 under their flowering Hawthorne tree at their home in Sturgeon Bay. Gerald enjoyed going for walks with Tiffany every Monday at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay and visiting the NEW Zoo in Green Bay with her. They cherished their time together, even nights just spent at home.  

     Those who knew Gerald, knew he was a “master of many trades.” He was a trained barber and cut hair at Waves in Sturgeon Bay and The Image Maker in Sister Bay. Gerald was a professional server and was proud to be a French-trained waiter who served at The Landmark, The Log Den, both in Egg Harbor, The Old Post Office Restaurant in Ephraim, The Viking Grill in Ellison Bay, and most recently at the English Inn in Fish Creek. He was also a stock broker. Gerald was a caregiver and worked as a certified nursing assistant at the Dorchester and Pine Crest Village, both in Sturgeon Bay and also at Good Samaritan Society-Scandia Village in Sister Bay.

     Gerald was an avid reader of non-fiction. He loved music and played the guitar, drums, keyboard, and even the harmonica. Gerald was definitely a “one-man band.” He was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan, and when they made it to the World Series again in modern time, he drove straight to Chicago with Tiffany, just to be amongst the excitement of the game outside of Wrigley Field.

     Earlier in life, Gerald a was member of the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of its honorary “Order of the Arrow” (OA) and received several high awards including the (Catholic) “Ad Altare Dei” award. He attended St. Rosalia Parish (now Stella Maris Parish-Sister Bay site) while living in Door County and was also Parade Marshall for Olde Ellison Bay Days one year. Gerald was a former member of both, the Sister Bay Lions Club and the Ellison Bay Men’s Club.

     He will live on in the hearts of his wife, Tiffany Pelrine; daughter, Genevieve Pelrine of Minneapolis, MN [and her mother, Patrice Champeau of Sister Bay]; six siblings, Bill Pelrine of Waukesha, Betsy Pelrine (Mark) Ellis of Brookfield, Ann Marie (Steve) Johnson of Waukesha, Ray (Martha Luber) Pelrine of Sister Bay, Patti (Kelly Meyer) Pelrine of Milwaukee, and Margaret Peline of Davis, CA; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; goddaughter, Leah Withers [and her parents, Tina and Josh Withers of Carlsville]; other relatives; and friends.

     Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.

     Gerald’s life will be honored with a service of remembrance at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2020 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay.

     Visitation for family and friends will be held at Huehns Funeral Home on Monday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service.

     Memorials may be given in Gerald’s to support LGBTQ Door County (payable to Circore Creative, 1230 S. 50th Street, West Milwaukee, WI 53214) which Gerald was very supportive of.

     Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Gerald may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald Anthony Pelrine, please visit our floral store.