Gaspar M Farina

“Pop” enrolled at Whitewater State University in 1934 and continued athletic brilliance that began at Beloit High School when he quarterbacked the Beloit’s Big 8 Championship Squad of 1933 and was guard on its 1933 and 1934 state championship basketball teams. While at Whitewater, he was football team captain three years, All-Conference in “35,” “36,” and “37,” and quarterbacked the 1937 Gridiron Champs. He was also Whitewater’s basketball team captain for three years. After graduation he played professional football for the Kenosha Cardinals. His passion for sports led him to coach football and basketball at Custer High in Milwaukee from 1939-49 and then on to head coach in 1951.

As a WWII veteran, he began his U.S. Navy tour of duty in 1943 and ranked Lieutenant when released in 1945.

He furthered his education at Marquette University and accepted a Vice Principal position at Wells Jr. High in Milwaukee in 1956 and later, Walker Jr. High.

He attended Nashotah House Seminary, was ordained an Episcopal perpetual deacon in 1956 and began his service at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Waukesha.

He was inducted into the Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame in 1966 and inducted into the Beloit Historical Society Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. He was a WIAA Official for football and basketball for many years.

After retirement, Pop and his wife Jane continued to serve the Episcopal church for more than 20 years while residing in Eagle River Wisconsin and Florida and helped to establish St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Hudson, Florida.

Pop will be dearly missed by his three sons and daughter, Michael (Teri) Farina of Mercer, WI, James Farina of Portage WI, David Farina, Genesee Depot, and daughter, Mary (Steve) Keppen of Pewaukee, and Grand Children, Brent (Gina) Farina of Waukesha, Ryan Farina of Genesee, Mark Farina of Marquette, MI, Matthew Farina of Brooklyn, NY, Andrew Farina of Milwaukee, Michael Farina of Chicago IL, Michelle (Kurt) Koeshall of New Berlin, Todd Farina of Madison, Jon Keppen of Delafield , Heather Keppen of Delafield and Great Grandchildren Erin, Aidan, Kaden, Jackson, Luke, Caleb, Christian and Nathanial, He is preceded in death by wife Jane Katherine Lord, and all five brothers and sisters, Jack Farina, Albert Farina, Rose White, Josephine Johnson and Vita Ross.

Private family services were held. Donations to Alzheimer’s Association suggested. A special thanks to the staff at Linden Grove.

Arrangements under the direction of Schramka-Borgwardt Funeral Home, West Allis, WI.