Dennis Tondryk, 66, of Oshkosh, unexpectedly passed away at home, Wednesday, April 5 after wrestling with cancer for the past 12 years. He was born February 28, 1951 in Chicago, IL to Walter & Dorothy Tondryk. Dennis is survived by his wife of 25 yrs, Jeanne (Womaski) and son, Peter (Tricia) Tondryk, grandson Leo, granddaughter Gemma, Orlando, FL, sister-in-law & mother-in-law, Anne (Dan) Long and Vivian Womaski, Oshkosh, niece, Kristin (baby Wyatt) IL, and nephew, James Parker, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Marisa Parker, and stepson, Scott Worman.
He attended Weber High School, Chicago, where he played football and then attended John Carroll and Ohio State Universities. Dennis held various jobs in Sales/Marketing until he and Jeanne opened a temporary help service to the foodservice industry in Chicago. They provided staff to the World Cup and Motorola Open as well as all the major food service companies. After retiring and moving to Oshkosh in 2010, he was invited to join the Oshkosh Northwestern Advisory Board. With the encouragement of Stew Rieckman, editor, Dennis wrote the Bites column as their restaurant reporter. He had so much fun at each interview with an owner, manager, or chef!
Dennis grew up summers on Delavan Lake and learned to boat, waterski, and race sailboats at an early age. He and Jeanne were fortunate to be invited to crew on a 42’ C&C in the 1992 Chicago to Mackinac Race. Dennis became a private pilot in college and loved to fly to various destinations. His other passions were golf, fishing, cooking, especially barbequing, and downhill skiing. Dennis was a member of the Oshkosh Yacht Club and the YMCA. He loved the Ohio State Buckeyes, da Bears, and the World Champion Cubs. He also had a strong passion to volunteer for organizations at a high level to help the homeless (Wayside Cross Mission), poor (Feed My Starving Children), and sick (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-LLS).
Thank you to his Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology Family for all your support and love for the past 7 years; we both love you All; no words can ever express our gratitude!
A Celebration of Dennis’ life will be Saturday, April 22, at Seefeld Funeral Home, 1025 Oregon St., from 10-11am with a service at 11am. In Dennis’ memory, we would appreciate a donation to LLS-Wisconsin. “Well done, my good and faithful Servant...”
Matthew 25:23

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dennis Tondryk, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.