Carl Sosnoski's Obituary
With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Carl Sosnoski, 78, on Thursday, March 28,
2024 at home after battling brain cancer. He was born the oldest of nine children to Carl and
June (Sheppard) Sosnoski in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He graduated from Lourdes High School in 1964. He joined The United States Marine Corps in 1965 and served until 1968. He spent a year in Kodiak, Alaska (Carl stating that he thought the Viet Cong were coming from the North). He started his working career by picking vegetables at Pupeter’s Truck Farm at a young age crossing Highway 41 on a bicycle. After working for various heating companies in Oshkosh, he started his own company, Custom Heating and Cooling in 1989. Carl was part owner of Cleo’s Brown Beam Bar in Appleton. He also, along with his brothers, was a partner in SOS Brothers Beer Tent held during EAA week. Carl and his brothers were the former owners of Players Pizza and Pub in Oshkosh. Carl had a strong work ethic and did not want to retire at the age of 77 as long as he could take a quick nap in the afternoon. Carl started the Annual Park Dance in South Park in 2009 - He was the Man with a Plan! Carl paid for the band each year and will continue to do so on Friday, July 12, 2024. Carl was a chaperon twice on the Old Glory Honor Flights once in 2011 and once taking Pinky Harvath in 2017. When Carl owned Players Pizza, he often donated money to veteran causes such as Old Glory Honor Flight in Appleton, The Veterans Museum and The United Veterans Honor Guard in Oshkosh. The Marine Corps League, Winnebago, Wis., Wounded Warriors, etc.
Carl is survived by his “long term girlfriend”, Carla Nigl and her children, Nikki (Chad Goodrum),
Jeremy (Kelly) and Jonathan Nigl, and her grandchildren, William and Audrey Nigl. He is
survived by his brothers, Dean (Paula), Allan (SusanSuda) Sosnoski of Appleton. Tom
(Annamarie) Sosnoski of Oshkosh. He is survived by his sisters, Linda (Bill) Lemieux, Chris
(Russ) Schlichting, Rosalie (Steve) Lichtwald of Oshkosh and Jan Huser, Berlin,Wi. He is
survived by a special aunt, Edie Stepanski, Oshkosh; along with many nieces and nephews and
great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by his brother, Steve Sosnoski and his nephew, Ian Lichtwald. Oh, how Carl loved a good train ride! He rode on every train in Colorado along with a train ride to the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, a train ride to Glacier National Park and the last train ride through the Canadian Rockies. Carl enjoyed traveling whether it was a River cruise in Europe, the pubs in Ireland, the beach bars in Ft. Myers Beach, the bars & restaurants in Ixtapa
and Zihuatanejo, Mexico and many National parks. Carl looked forward to his Wednesday morning breakfasts with his brothers and friends when he was healthy and while he was declining.
Before Carl’s Mom passed, she asked him to “take care of the family”, which of course he did.
He also helped out friends and strangers along the way. Carl was a very generous man. After Carl’s father passed, Carl was the patriarch of the family, he was the glue that kept the family together. He
loved family get together‘s and the big gathering at Xmas time. Carl will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Thank you to Shirley, Kim, Renee, Jodie, Calli and the employees from the care agency for
allowing Carl to remain in his home. Thank you to Cousin Cindy of Edenbrook and to Moments
Hospice of Appleton, Wi. for all your help and advice.
Please join us in celebrating Carl’s life on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Fiss and Bills-Poklasny
Funeral Home, 865 S. Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh, Wi. A time of visitation will be held from 10AM-1PM with the service at 1:00PM with full military honors following to be accorded by the United Veteran's Honor Guard and further celebration at the Roxy, Oshkosh, following. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a local veteran cause in Carl's name.
What’s your fondest memory of Carl?
What’s a lesson you learned from Carl?
Share a story where Carl's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Carl you’ll never forget.
How did Carl make you smile?