Former Sussex Village President dies at age 85
Fleischmann also served as a Sussex Lion for 56 years
Posted: March 1, 2011, Living Sussex Sun
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Paul Fleischmann
Paul J. Fleischmann, 85, a former longtime Sussex Village President and Sussex Lions Club member died Friday, Feb. 25.
Fleischmann was born in 1925 to Arnold and Rosella Fleischmann. The family was into subsistence farming in a series of locations during the depression; his boyhood home still stands on Cedar Circle. As a youngster in Sussex and on a farm, he experienced milking cows, digging red beets and pitch-forking pea vines onto a truck bound for the local Mammoth Spring Canning Company.
Fleischmann’s father died in 1936, and his mother was not capable of sustaining the family and turned them over to their grandparents George and Barb Fleischmann.
At the age of 11, Fleischmann enrolled in Sussex Main Street School graduating from eighth grade in 1940. He continued his education at Sussex Jr. High School in 1942. While in the Sussex Jr. High School, he played basketball and baseball. Little did he know that in 1988-90, that he would be a prime player in saving the Main Street School from demolition in his role as Sussex village president.
Four years out of Sussex Jr. High School, Fleischmann married a farmer’s daughter, Marion Hill on June 29, 1946. Paul and Marion shortly took over as herdsmen for the then-Wisconsin Golden Guernsey Milk Jug on Bluemound Road. He also held jobs as a local milk hauler for a number of years, a member of the Waukesha County Public Works where he became a supervisor retiring in December of 1988. After retirement, Fleishmann also was employed for a short time at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home.
He joined the Sussex Fire Department in 1956 serving until 1983. He joined the Sussex Lions Club in 1954 and was a member for 56 years serving as president in 1962-63. Fleischmann was very proud of his perfect attendance at Sussex Lions’ monthly meetings.
During his service with the club, Fleischmann helped with the Lynndale Farms racing championships where the Lions sold food and beverages. Although this event turned out to be a failure, it ultimately led to the very successful Lions Daze festival that originated in 1967.
In other Lions activities, he served as zone chairman when the Lannon Lions acquired its Lions Club and he was on the committee that helped set up the Sussex Lions flag football program. Recognizing his contributions, the Lions awarded him the Melvin Jones Fellowship that recognizes donations of $1,000 to the foundation and he was also given the Birch-Sturm Fellowship which recognizes individuals who exemplify dedication and commitment to Lionism.
Fleischmann’s joiner spirit got him into local politics as he ran for the Sussex Village Board in 1960 and won. He served the village for 32 years between 1960 and 1993 only being out of office one year. Overall he served 13 years as village president and 19 as a village trustee. His years as the village president were 1974-1981 and then again from 1987-1993. During his time as a village official, Fleischmann was present at three ground-breaking ceremonies for successive Sussex waste water treatment plants.
Paul Fleischmann’s children are JoAnn (Robert) Swanson and Jean (James) Dibb. He is survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation was held Tuesday at Schimdt & Bartelt Funeral Home.
Fleischmann, Paul J. Of Sussex. Friday, February 25, 2011. Age 85 years. Beloved husband of the Marion (nee Hill) for 62 years. Loving father of JoAnn (Robert) Swanson and Jean (James) Dibb. Proud grandfather of Roberta (Michael) Gorzek, Rebecca (John) Mathaus, Tamara (fiancé Jacob Janczak) Dibb and Kelsey (Justin Scale) Dibb. Great grandfather of Benjamin, Samuel and Carolyn Gorzek, Madison Mathaus and Zoe Czernisz. Brother of Francis (Josephine) and Harold (Elnora) Fleischmann. Also survived by his godchild Jodi Marx other relatives and friends. Visitation Tuesday, March 1, at the funeral from 4PM until time of Funeral Service at 7PM. Private entombment Wisconsin Memorial Park. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Katie and Jennifer and the caring staff at Heritage Court. And also thank Dr. Vic and Odyssey Hospice. Paul was retired from the Waukesha County Highway Dept. and the Sussex Fire Dept. He was a past President of the Village of Sussex and Trustee. A member of the Sussex Lions Club for 56 years and proud recipient of the Melvin Jones and Birch Sturm awards. Paul also was a dedicated employee for Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Service.