John Wainwright
John William Wainwright, age 81, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025.
He was born June 7, 1943, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, son of Robert and AnnaLucy (Hoffman) Wainwright.
He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1961, as a multiple letter winner in football, baseball and track. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Platteville and his master's degree from UW-Superior.
Coach JDub, as he was called by his athletes, began his 36-year coaching career at La Farge High School, then Black Hawk High School and concluded following 26 years at Northland Pines High School. His football record includes 172 wins, four conference titles, 3 undefeated seasons and 3 playoff appearances, including a state runner up trophy.
His Girls Track record includes 441 wins, a run of 102 consecutive regular-season victories, nine conference championships, 4 Sectional and 6 Regional titles. His teams qualified for State 24 times, including 3 State relay team championships.
During John's coaching career, he was honored as Conference Coach of the Year six times and as District Coach of the Year three times in football and track and honored. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002, joining his grandfather in the Hall. He was inducted into the Eagle River/Northland Pines Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He retired from teaching in 2000, and from coaching in 2002.
John was instrumental in the formation of both the Pop Warner program for the Northwoods and the Eagle River/Northland Pines Athletic Hall of Fame. He was an active member of the Eagle River Lions Club of which he was a member from 1978-2002. He was honored with the Bud Seifert Memorial Service Award in 2017, for his hours of devoted service to the Eagle River Lions Club.
His hobbies included golfing, fishing, deer hunting and gambling. He loved to travel and his morning coffee with buddies at McDonald's. He was an active member of the St. Peter the Fisherman parish.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and AnnaLucy Wainwright and his siblings, Jim, Jerry, Jane and Mary.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith; children, Kristina Tomlanovich, Curt (Cheri) Wainwright and Tony Wainwright; seven grandchildren, Kevin, Shelby, Steven, Jonathan, Dylan, Matthew and Grace; and great- granddaughter Lydia; and many other nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service was held May 15, 2025, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Eagle River, WI. Visitation was held two hours prior to the service.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com PAID OBITUARY
