John R. Wassong
John Robert Wassong was born December 30, 1945, in Weehawken, New Jersey, the youngest of three children born to Mary Buccino, of Buccino, Italy, and John R. Wassong, Sr. of Alsace-Lorraine.
On Friday, September 2, 2022, John died peacefully at home in Marquette, Wisconsin, surrounded by his “Bride” and five other ladies who loved him - just as he would have wanted.
From his humble beginnings as a delivery boy and a factory worker he soon found his calling on Wall Street where he honed his craft as a Silver Arbitrage Specialist. In 1974, John and his future “Bride,” Kristine Schweder Green, met in Chicago, where they both worked at the Chicago Board of Trade. Their love blossomed after both were widowed in 1989. John and Kristine were married on February 15, 1992.
Over the years, they made their home together in the United States in Brooklyn, Chicago, and Marquette. For eight years, they lived a fun and vibrant life in Madrid, Spain, where they loved to entertain and care for their ever-growing “Euro family.” During those years, they took the opportunity to explore many European cities. Moreover, John (aka “El Jefe”) took great pleasure and pride in mentoring and encouraging so many to become successful traders themselves.
After their time in Madrid came to a close in 2017, John and Kristine initially returned to Chicago, where he continued his work as a successful Fixed-Income Trader. In August of 2017, John was diagnosed with lung cancer. Subsequently, they sold their loft in Chicago and retired to their country home in Kristine’s hometown of Marquette.
John was fortunate to continue to be under the care of the Oncology Department at Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation in Chicago for the duration of his illness. Kristine, family, and friends are grateful that John had the opportunity to receive such exceptional oncological care.
He is survived by his “Bride” of over thirty years, Kristine; his children, Stacy (Eric) Boettcher and John J. (Geraldine “Jeri”) Wassong; three grandchildren, Taylor, Sofia, Giuliana Wassong; mother-in-law, Dolores Schweder; brother-in-law, Jon Schweder; sister-in-law, Debra Atwater; nieces and nephews; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Jacqueline Crockford and Marilyn Fitzpatrick; father-in-law, Merrill Schweder; two brothers-in-law; Richard Schweder and Bill Atwater; great-nephew, Sean Klapper; and his beloved four legged “boy”, Gunther “Gunny” Wassong. Nothing brought him more pleasure than long walks with Gunny throughout the beautiful Palacio Real garden followed by an extra dry martini with a twist.
A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be in Grandview Cemetery in the Town of Marquette. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Memorials may be directed to SSM Health at Home or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to John Wassong, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.
Online condolences may be submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.