Stanley "Buck" John Raclaw

Stanley J. “Buck” Raclaw Jr., born on November 10, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2024, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, at the age of 83. He was the beloved son of Stanley and Mary (Roszak) Raclaw (both deceased) and had three siblings; Virginia Laabs (deceased), Richard Raclaw (deceased), and Margaret (David) Speier of Brooklyn, WI.

Throughout his lifetime, Stanley had a passion for helping others. A dedicated public servant, Stanley served as the City of St. Francis 2nd District Alderman for approximately 24 years. His commitment to his community was unwavering and he worked tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of those he represented. His first campaign was truly a grassroots effort: He went door-to-door, meeting with constituents and discussing their concerns, and hand-painted his own election signs. He won his first election in 1976, 606 to 600, reinforcing to his children at an early age that every vote matters. He was also a former member of the St. Francis Lion’s Club and served as a Mentor in Junior Achievement. In addition to his role as Alderman, Stanley retired from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office - Fiscal Affairs Unit after a career marked by integrity and diligence.

Besides his public service, Stanley also enjoyed working retail; He previously worked for T.A. Chapman’s Department Store, Schuster’s Department Store, and Gimbel’s Department Store – all in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He enjoyed forming relationships with his customers and suppliers, purchasing the best products to bring into inventory, and helping customers to choose and feel good in the shoes they purchased. It is also how he met his future wife – when she returned a pair of shoes to him!

Stanley was a loving and devoted husband to Margaret “Penny” (Luczak) Raclaw of Grafton, WI, and a proud father to his three children: Ann Marie (Patrick) Phillippi of Hilton Head Island, SC; Monica (Parker) Shipley of Cedarburg, WI; and Stephen (Jennifer) Raclaw, of Kenosha, WI. Stanley also was a loving grandfather to Matthew (Ruth) Phillippi; Christyn Phillippi; Grant, Gavin, and Patton Shipley; and Sammy, Charlotte, Kenady, and Delaney Raclaw, as well as his “grand dogs.” He is further survived by his nieces and nephews.

Stanley's life was defined by his dedication to family, community service, and hard work. His legacy will live on through his family as well as through the countless lives he touched during his many years of service. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.

We would like to extend our gratitude for all the care and help that Aurora CHF Clinic - Grafton, Horizon Hospice, and LaSata Care Center’s staff provided to him as well as his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Grafton on Saturday, February 15, 2025 – 11:30 AM. Fr. Tim Schumaker officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Sat. Feb. 15th from 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi (www.lakeosfs.org) or to the Wisconsin Humane Society (www.wihumane.org).