Sylvester Frank "Duffy" Sook

Sylvester 'Duffy' Frank Sook, Jr. passed away early Monday, May 30, 2011 in Fond du Lac at the Hospice Home of Hope. Our earthly loss is Heaven's gain. How appropriate that a man who earned three Purple Hearts in Vietnam has left his earthly life to be with his Heavenly Father on Memorial Day, a day he truly embraced.Duffy was born in Fond du Lac on May 14, 1946 to Sylvester Frank and Mary Jane (Smith) Soak, Sr.He was a 1964 graduate of Winnebago Lutheran Academy.He entered the Army in December 1965. Duffy earned one of his Purple Heart Medals on March 21, 1966 for wounds received while defending his country near Dau Tieng, Vietnam. At that time he was a driver with the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division's 22nd Infantry. Duffy was proud to have served his country, but rarely spoke of his experiences in Vietnam.Duffy worked for Mercury Marine testing snowmobiles in his earlier years. This employment briefly took him away from Fond du Lac to the Minoqua, Wisconsin area. He later returned to Fond du Lac and began his employment with the City of Fond du Lac in 1974. Duffy drove the Fond du Lac city bus until he transferred to the Fond du Lac City Water Department in 1977. Duffy worked for the Fond du Lac City Water Department, later becoming Foreman, until his retirement at age 58 in 2004. Duffy cherished and maintained many of the friendships he made during his years of employment with the city.Duffy was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church (WELS). He was an avid golfer, if the weather was right, and belonged to the Monday night golf league at Rolling Meadows Golf Course. Duffy cherished his Thursday night card games with long time 'Poker Buddies' and their annual golf trips. He was a member of the local Eagles Aerie 270. He enjoyed visiting with his friends at Ramjets on Friday afternoons and eating fish with his 'Friday Night Gang'. Duffy loved to watch sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings, the Milwaukee Brewers and college basketball. Duffy treasured his time watching activities that his grandkids were involved in such as sporting events, school activities and musical concerts. They will dearly miss his encouragement and support.He is survived by one son, Jesse (Kristi) Sook; two daughters, Angela (Travis) Augustine and Amanda (special friend Jason Andrews) Sook; five grandchildren, Devin and Dylan Sook, Samantha Augustine, Autumn Dupree, and Lily Sook; his 'Mum', Ione Sook ; three brothers, Clifford Sook , John (Lana) Crossman , and Jerry (Mary) Crossman ; one sister, Joan (Randy) Bader; and six nieces, Alyssa and Ericka Crossman, Kelly (Andy) Pike, Lexi & Abbey Crossman, and Melanie Bader; and many special friends.Duffy touched the hearts of all who had the pleasure to meet him. He had a way ofmaking people laugh, yet would have done anything to help another.He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Jane (Smith) Sook in 1959 and his father Sylvester Frank Sook, Sr. in 1979.



Visitation: The visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave., Fond du Lac; visitation will also be held one hour before the service on Thursday, June 2, at Faith Lutheran Church, 55 Prairie Road.· Services: Friends are welcome to join with his family in Christian funeral to be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 55 Prairie Road, Fond du Lac, on Thursday, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Joel Gaertner officiating. Military honors will follow the service.Duffy's family would like to extend a special Thank You to the Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope.Memorials may be directed in his name to Winnebago Lutheran Academy, 475 East Merrill Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.