Darrel C. Bricco, 91, of New London, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
Darrel Charles Bricco was born April 3, 1931, in Eland, Wisconsin, to Willard and Hazel (Barker) Bricco. He graduated from Clintonville High School, Class of 1950 and proudly held a school record in pole vaulting. Darrel then became a member of the U.S Army in 1951 where he volunteered to join the Airborne as Paratrooper where he served in the 598th Airborne Engineer Co. of the 508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team until 1953. He married Joyce Lueck on January 8, 1955, where they had six children together: Linda, Valarie, Cathy, Sherrie, Steve and Jason. Darrel was a devoted father and raised his six children on his own after the death of his wife in 1978. He also worked as a Truck Driver for Appleton Paper, Inc where he received numerous safety awards and retired after 36 years of service in 1993.
Darrel was a simple and wholesome man that enjoyed hunting, fishing, going for drives taking in the sights the local countryside had to offer, listening to Johnny Cash & Don Williams, bird watching, cheering on his Football teams: the Packers & Notre Dame, telling tales from his past and most of all the company of his family. He especially had a soft spot for his grandchildren that he loved greatly. Darrel went by many names such as “Brick, Whisker Grandpa, Gramps” and to his kids he was known as “Pa”. He often joked and attributed his long life to a daily splash of brandy in his coffee and a slice of turtle pie with his dinner. He was extremely grateful to have had the privilege of living independently in his own home until his final days thanks to the combined efforts of his family.
Darrel is survived by his children Valarie (Gary) Sigl, Cathy (Dave) Lornson, Steve (Maria) Bricco, Jason (Kim) Bricco, 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and brother Howard (Margaret) Bricco. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents, siblings: Larry, Robert, Jane, Maxine and Floyd, and his daughters Linda and Sherrie.
Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd at 12:00 Noon at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. His brother, Deacon Howard Bricco, will officiate and urn burial will be at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Hortonville. Military Honors will be provided at the funeral home by members of the VFW Post 664, American Legion Post 63, DAV Chapter 53, VFW Auxiliary Unit 664, and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 63, all of Clintonville. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend appreciation and gratitude to the Tate Family for their help over the years in addition to providers at Theda Care Hospital and St. Joseph Residence for their excellent care.