The Third Branch
Obituaries
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Judge Patrick T. Sheedy |
Judge Patrick T. Sheedy
Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge and State Bar President Patrick T. Sheedy passed away on Jan. 13 at the age of 90.
"Pat Sheedy was an officer and a gentleman," Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson told the State Bar of Wisconsin in an article published after his death. "He could command a room with his dignified presence – a testament to his many years in the U.S. Army and the Judge Advocate General's Department. As Chief Judge in Milwaukee County, Pat was strong and decisive, but always willing to listen to many diverse points of view. He recognized early on the value of information technology in the courts, both to improve efficiency and to ensure that the many disparate players in the justice system were communicating effectively. And above all, Judge Sheedy never forgot that the courts exist to serve the public. The people who depend upon the courts to solve their disputes fairly and impartially always had Pat Sheedy in their corner. He will be dearly missed."
Sheedy served on the Milwaukee County bench from 1980-98. He served as chief judge from 1990-98. From 1943-46, he served in the U.S. Army in the U.S. and Far East. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and retired as a Colonel on the JAG Corps.
"Pat was a delightful colleague and a great chief judge," Supreme Court Justice David T. Prosser told the State Bar. "He was a furious defender of the interest of the independent judiciary."
While serving on the Milwaukee County bench, Sheedy played an important role reorganizing the court and reducing the felony calendar from 300 to 90 days. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Christopher R. Foley also remembered Sheedy as a mentor during Foley's first few years in the circuit court.
"He always had time to listen and never rushed you," Foley told the State Bar. "He shepherded me through my early years, and I always knew I had to plan an extra half hour for family catch-up when scheduling a meeting with him."
A graduate of Marquette University Law School and John Marshall Law School, he worked in private practice prior to his election to the court.
He served as president of the State Bar of Wisconsin from 1974-75. According to the State Bar, Sheedy called his time there a "traumatic and exhausting experience" in his closing President's Message.
"I wouldn't have missed it for anything but I wouldn't want to do it again," Sheedy said of his position at the State Bar.
Sheedy served six terms on the Board of Governors. He also served as a state delegate to the American Bar Association, attorney chair to the Medical Malpractice Panel, and chair of the Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility.
Sheedy was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret. He is survived by six children and 17 grandchildren.
Also see Sheedy fondly recalled.
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Gary D. Gibson |
Gary D. Gibson
Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP)
Gary D. Gibson, a software engineer for CCAP, passed away on Feb. 15, following a long battle with cancer. He was 32.
Gibson came to CCAP in 2008 to develop software applications for the circuit courts. Over the years he contributed significantly to the development of many important software features, including the recent electronic signatures for court documents project and software changes necessary to support the new concealed carry legislation.
Gibson presented a cheerful, easy-going, and friendly demeanor to all he came into contact with, even as his disease progressed. His presence made CCAP a better place to work and the loss of such a special person has affected many, said Chief Information Officer Jean Bousquet.
"He was extremely well-liked and a genuine pleasure to have on our CCAP team," Bousquet said. A lifelong learner, Gibson actively pursued a bachelor's degree in information science and technology from UW-Milwaukee and graduated with honors on Dec. 18, 2011.
He is survived by his wife, Emily, a business process analyst at CCAP, as well as family and friends.
Lois A. Groeschel
La Crosse County Register in Probate
Former La Crosse County Register in Probate Lois A. Groschel passed away on Dec. 6, 2011, just a week before her 80th birthday.
Groeschel worked as register in probate for 41 years, starting in 1970.
Groeschel is survived by her sister, Juanita McGinnis, and many friends and family.