George Anthony Petak, Jr.
November 6, 1949 – December 24, 2024

George Anthony Petak, Jr. died peacefully in his sleep the morning of Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024 in Colorado Springs at the age of 75, after an 8-month battle with brain cancer. His death came 53 years to the day after George gave his life to Jesus Christ and began a personal relationship with Him on Christmas Eve, 1971. George spoke often of his Christmas Eve conversion experience in his personal testimony, always giving glory to God for his life transformation.

George “Sonny” was born on November 6, 1949, in Warren, OH to George Sr. and Regina Petak. He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1969. George attended and graduated from Kent State University in 1972 with a B.S. in Political Science. While attending Kent State, George married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Farrell, and the two had their first son, Brian, in 1970 with twins, Todd and Meigan, born in 1972. George worked for Ametek Lamb Electric and was transferred to Racine, WI in 1976. While there, the Petaks attended Calvary Memorial Church, where they served for more than 30 years. 

In 1983, George ran for the Racine Unified School District School Board. He was elected as the School Board President, serving in this role until 1990. George was then recruited to run for the 21st District State Senate seat and won resoundingly on his 41st birthday. He went on to win re-election in 1994, serving as the Senate Republican Caucus Chairman and on several committees.

In 1995, after months of debate concerning the public funding of a new Milwaukee Brewers Major League Baseball stadium, George voted in favor of the public funding measure. Based on George’s swing vote, the stadium bill passed, and Miller Park construction was soon underway. However, a recall election was mounted against George in 1996 and he became the first politician in Wisconsin state history be recalled in the middle of his elected term. This pivotal vote made George a hero to many Wisconsin baseball fans.

Miller Park was built in 2001, with George throwing out the first pitch in the Milwaukee Brewers’ first official game in their new stadium. Once out of elected politics, George worked as a lobbyist and consultant for several public relations and lobbying firms as well as the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and the State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). He and Nancy moved near Madison to Sun Prairie in 1996, and then to DeForest, attending Door Creek DeForest Church. 

When George retired from WHEDA in 2020, he and Nancy felt called to move to Colorado Springs to be closer to their son Brian, his wife Heidi, and four of their grandsons. George and Nancy have attended The Ascent Church in Monument where their son Brian is the Lead Pastor. At Ascent, George served as a Deacon, usher, greeter, and leader of the prayer ministry, among other roles. He also mentored several men and was a key member of a few weekly Bible studies. George also enjoyed working part-time for Wild Birds Unlimited in Colorado Springs.

An avid Green Bay Packers & Milwaukee Brewers fan, George loved cheering on the Packers, the Brewers, camping, golfing, bird-watching and spending as much time with family as possible.

In April 2024, George was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer. George fought valiantly but lost his earthly battle on the morning of Christmas Eve 2024 and entered into eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 2pm at The Ascent Church in Monument, CO, with visitation beginning at 1pm. The Ascent Church is located at 1750 Deer Creek Road, Monument, CO, 80132. The service will be live-streamed on Ascent’s website: www.theascentchurch.com, Facebook and YouTube pages.

George is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy (Farrell); three children: Brian (Heidi), and grandsons Josiah, Jonathan, Joshua and Justin; Todd (Shannon), and granddaughters Bethany and MaKaylee; Meigan (Armando) Rivera, and grandson Diego; great grandchildren Alayna and Rylan; brother Dan (Debbie); sister Teri (Brad) Scofield; many nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his parents George Sr. and Regina, and his brothers, Frank and David.

The Petak family thanks Pike’s Peak Hospice and Palliative Care, Home Helpers and many friends and family for their gracious care of George “Sonny” as he finished his earthly journey.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy is asking that donations be made to The Ascent Church “Make Room Fund,” to facilitate Ascent’s ministries and campus expansion plans. Donation link: https://theascentchurch.churchcenter.com/giving/to/make-room-fund. One may also Venmo @theascentchurch or write a check, with a designation note “George Petak” or “Make Room Fund.”