IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Joseph
Tovar
February 14, 1947 – January 31, 2025
Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Joseph Jauregui Tovar on January 31, 2025. Joe (as he was known to most) was a cherished friend, mentor, and respected figure who made a profound impact on the lives of so many. Born on February 14, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas, he was the fifth child of David and Genoveva (Jauregui) Tovar. Joe was baptized at the Allenville Baptist Church.
Joe's strong work ethic and impressive craftsmanship were clear from an early age. Growing up as a migrant laborer, he learned the value of hard work and dedication. After graduating from Winneconne High School, Joe started his career as a laborer at Chase Roofing Company in Oshkosh, where he worked alongside his father and brothers—whom he greatly admired. He later spent time at Universal Foundry in Oshkosh before discovering his true passion in the construction industry. Even after retiring, Joe continued to lend his expertise to friends and family, assisting with various building and construction projects.
Joe radiated positivity and was well-known for his honesty, empathy, compassion, and fun-loving personality. Despite his lighthearted demeanor, he took his work very seriously and had a "no-nonsense" attitude. Those who worked alongside him often heard him say, "If you're not going to do it right, don't do it at all."
He found great pleasure in many things. He loved playing the lottery and going to casinos in hopes of hitting the jackpot– and sometimes did! Watching his beloved Green Bay Packers was a favorite pastime and he often made friendly wagers with his nephews. Joe had a special love for cooking and was famous for his lemon meringue pies at holidays, and homemade tortillas and bean dip. He enjoyed fishing and traveling across the country to visit family and friends. Joe embraced his Native American heritage, frequently attending Pow-wows with his family, where he reveled in the sound of the drum. He was also active in the Oshkosh Earth Science Club and was a volunteer during their annual gem and mineral show each fall.
Joe's true artistry was evident in his stained-glass work. With a keen eye for detail and immense patience, he crafted intricate pieces that showcased his talent and love for the craft. He was generous with his art, gifting pieces to family and friends. When he wasn't working on stained glass, he would create pieces of art by intricately gluing small beads on gourds or wood carvings.
Above all else, his true joy was attending his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephew's sporting events, recitals, and school activities. Always making them feel that they were his "favorite".
He was deeply loved by his entire family and will be greatly missed by his daughter, Tammy (Jason) Lukasavage; and his son, Travis (Susan) Tovar; his seven grandchildren, Emmah (Nic) Tovar, Sophie and Madalynn Lukasavage, and Rebecca, Isabelle, Caroline and Olivia Tovar; his great-grandchildren, Brielle Lukasavage and Boone, Briar and Caper Tovar.
Joe is survived by his siblings, Alfred "Fritz" (Lois Ann) Tovar, Esther Berger, Eva Hoeft, Elvira "Bira" (Walter) Hesse, Albert Tovar, Elida "Ellie" (Glen) Hesse, Elva "Robbie" Tovar, David "Davy" (Jenny) Tovar, Elsa "Molly" Tovar, and Elmira "Cookie" Preston. He will be forever remembered by his many nieces and nephews, and special friends, Doug Bahrke, Betty Edmondson, Jim and Judy Hidde, Mike and Lisa Nishamuta, Mike and Betty Shaw, and Dave Varilek.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Genoveva (Jauregui) Tovar; father, David Mendoza Tovar; stepmother, Frangoula (Karageorgiou) Tovar; brother, Guadalupe "Lupe" Tovar; and nephews, David Tovar and Lawrence Tovar.
A ceremony honoring his life will be held this summer.
Joe's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He was a truly remarkable man whose spirit and kindness will never be forgotten.
Joe's strong work ethic and impressive craftsmanship were clear from an early age. Growing up as a migrant laborer, he learned the value of hard work and dedication. After graduating from Winneconne High School, Joe started his career as a laborer at Chase Roofing Company in Oshkosh, where he worked alongside his father and brothers—whom he greatly admired. He later spent time at Universal Foundry in Oshkosh before discovering his true passion in the construction industry. Even after retiring, Joe continued to lend his expertise to friends and family, assisting with various building and construction projects.
Joe radiated positivity and was well-known for his honesty, empathy, compassion, and fun-loving personality. Despite his lighthearted demeanor, he took his work very seriously and had a "no-nonsense" attitude. Those who worked alongside him often heard him say, "If you're not going to do it right, don't do it at all."
He found great pleasure in many things. He loved playing the lottery and going to casinos in hopes of hitting the jackpot– and sometimes did! Watching his beloved Green Bay Packers was a favorite pastime and he often made friendly wagers with his nephews. Joe had a special love for cooking and was famous for his lemon meringue pies at holidays, and homemade tortillas and bean dip. He enjoyed fishing and traveling across the country to visit family and friends. Joe embraced his Native American heritage, frequently attending Pow-wows with his family, where he reveled in the sound of the drum. He was also active in the Oshkosh Earth Science Club and was a volunteer during their annual gem and mineral show each fall.
Joe's true artistry was evident in his stained-glass work. With a keen eye for detail and immense patience, he crafted intricate pieces that showcased his talent and love for the craft. He was generous with his art, gifting pieces to family and friends. When he wasn't working on stained glass, he would create pieces of art by intricately gluing small beads on gourds or wood carvings.
Above all else, his true joy was attending his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephew's sporting events, recitals, and school activities. Always making them feel that they were his "favorite".
He was deeply loved by his entire family and will be greatly missed by his daughter, Tammy (Jason) Lukasavage; and his son, Travis (Susan) Tovar; his seven grandchildren, Emmah (Nic) Tovar, Sophie and Madalynn Lukasavage, and Rebecca, Isabelle, Caroline and Olivia Tovar; his great-grandchildren, Brielle Lukasavage and Boone, Briar and Caper Tovar.
Joe is survived by his siblings, Alfred "Fritz" (Lois Ann) Tovar, Esther Berger, Eva Hoeft, Elvira "Bira" (Walter) Hesse, Albert Tovar, Elida "Ellie" (Glen) Hesse, Elva "Robbie" Tovar, David "Davy" (Jenny) Tovar, Elsa "Molly" Tovar, and Elmira "Cookie" Preston. He will be forever remembered by his many nieces and nephews, and special friends, Doug Bahrke, Betty Edmondson, Jim and Judy Hidde, Mike and Lisa Nishamuta, Mike and Betty Shaw, and Dave Varilek.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Genoveva (Jauregui) Tovar; father, David Mendoza Tovar; stepmother, Frangoula (Karageorgiou) Tovar; brother, Guadalupe "Lupe" Tovar; and nephews, David Tovar and Lawrence Tovar.
A ceremony honoring his life will be held this summer.
Joe's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He was a truly remarkable man whose spirit and kindness will never be forgotten.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Tovar, please visit our flower store.
Joseph Tovar's Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors