On Sunday, Milwaukee real estate executive Joseph Weirick died at the age of 58. His wife, Beth Weirick, is the executive director of Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District, a longtime partner of OnMilwaukee.
Weirick's legacy of building Milwaukee will live on forever through his many projects including the Milwaukee Riverwalk, The Mayfair Collection and Reuss Federal Plaza (The Blue in Downtown Milwaukee).
As a tribute, his son, David, wrote the following:
Joe was a fly under the radar kind of guy, who would probably prefer not to see his name in the title of an online article (I’m guessing especially an obituary).
He never wanted any recognition for his professional accomplishments. To him, the best reward was to see things be done the right way, quietly and diligently, and to see how the product of his hard work positively affected his business dealings and the larger Milwaukee community.
Real estate management and development was a natural fit for Joe, a graduate of UWM’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning, who had an interest in the built environment, but who also had the innate pragmatism and competitiveness of a business man.
His work ethic – and dry wit – were unleashed on the Milwaukee real estate community when he moved here to become Midwest Regional Partner for Faison in 1989 at the age of 29. His love for Milwaukee compelled him to become a key partner in the development and improvement of two of downtown’s signature amenities: The Shops of Grand Avenue and the Milwaukee Riverwalk.
The esteem in which his advice was held by the area’s top executives is evidenced by his position on numerous Boards of Directors, including the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Milwaukee Riverwalk District, Inc., and the Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District.
It’s clear then that Joe’s marriage to Beth Weirick (Nicols), Executive Director of the Milwaukee Downtown Business Improvement District and tireless advocate for the improvement of our community, in 2012 was a match made in heaven. With their powers combined, the two were among the most beloved and respected couples in the Milwaukee business community.
More important to him than any of his professional endeavors, was his role as a husband, father, step-father, son, brother and friend. I can assure you, as his son, that he excelled at all these roles. I think his wife, my siblings and step-siblings, his own numerous siblings and friends, and anyone who knew him well would whole-heartedly agree; at least as whole as our hearts can be, his passing takes a mountain-sized piece.
When he wasn’t working, you could find Joe riding his Harley, driving the boat he shared with his brothers, flying a single-engine, four seat Cessna, enjoying a Brewers tailgate, or cozied up to a Brady Street bar.
If you find yourself enjoying a refreshing beverage on one of these beautiful Milwaukee summer days that Joe loved so much, join us in raising a toast to him.
Cheers to you, Dad, you’ll be missed by so many.
Visitation to celebrate Joe's life is from 2 to 5:45 p.m. Friday at Three Holy Women Parish - Holy Rosary Church, 2011 N. Oakland Ave., followed by a funeral Mass at 6 p.m.
