On the early morning of November, the 1st 2023, Our beloved Dad, brother, uncle, friend, & couch, Gray Braden Zischke passed away in his residence due to heart failure. Our wonderful Dad was 74 years young. Dad was living in Wausau Wisconsin when he passed on his favorite holiday "All Saints Day". He was born on April the 12th 1949 in Palo Alto, California. He was born to the parents of James B. Zischke and Mother Joan S. Brookings; his father would later re-marry, the affectionate Joan H. Zischke who would add more love and siblings to Gray's family. Dad was the oldest of his sibling and the oldest grandson of all his cousins. Gray is proceeded in death by his parents and two brothers Dai. B. Zischke & Lance B. Zischke. He is survived by 8 siblings: Jaimee Z. Tate (NM), Starr B. Zischke (NM), James (Jay) Zischke (WA), Cree M. Zischke (AZ), David Zischke (CA), Jeffery Zischke (CA), Dana H. Cipinko (AZ), Bret Zischke (CA), and his 7 nieces and nephews. When Gray married for the third time, he was blessed with becoming our dad, Denise M. Garcia and Marie C. Garcia. Gray has 3 grandchildren from Denise; Brock (16), Bailey (9) & Mathayus (2).

Gray Graduated from Piedmont Highschool. Dad joined the U.S. Marine Corps. where he was promoted to Lance Corporal. & was honorably discharged in the spring of 1970. He attended the University of Hawaii & was a history major at Oregon State University. Dad Loved attending Oregon State University, he was so delighted to say that he was a Beaver. He was a proud alumnus and was part of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. While there he met many lifelong friends and discovered a passion that would burn in him for the rest of his existence, RUGBY. Gray played rugby and coached rugby any and every chance that he could get. Even with the many states he lived in, his passion for rugby traveled around right alongside him. Gray has lived in many places including California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Arizona, Hawaii, & Wisconsin. While living out here in Wisconsin there weren't any rugby leagues for more individuals to play for, Gray saw this as an issue and took it upon himself with a few trusted colleagues to get something going. Gray was the former commissioner for the Great Waters Rugby Conference and the coach of the UWSP Women's rugby league for many years. Gray always spoke of the importance of playing on a team and learning from the comradery. Especially for women, he saw the way sports helped young ladies develop skills in leadership. He always enjoyed sports, books gardening, cooking, but mostly being a couch and mentor. He always gave the best advice. Gray had an amazing professional career as well, as a senior claim specialist for Wausau Med-mal Management Services. Back in the 2010's Dad had a case that went to the Wisconsin supreme court, he was very proud to be part of something so precedential. Dad loved to learn and meet new people. You could always find him drinking from a stein and watching collegiate sports from his big comfy chair with his kitty Garfunkel. Dad was an avid reader and journalist. He loved to take photos, jot down a quick note or spout out random poetry. He surrounded himself with all the things he loved and tried to seize the moments as they rushed by. I leave you all with a poem found amongst his belongings, one he asked me long ago to inscribe for you, come this day.

Look to this day,

For it is life,

The very life of life.

In its brief course lie all

The realities and verities of existence,

The bliss of growth,

The splendor of action,

The glory of power-

For yesterday is but a dream

And tomorrow is only a vision.

But today, well lived,

Makes every yesterday a dream

of happiness

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well, therefore, to this day.

Sanskrit Proverb

Gray Braden Zischke (April 12th 1949- November 1st 2023)