Mark Alan Sternad

Mark Alan Sternad, age 64, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Waukesha Memorial hospital surrounded by his family.  Mark fought a courageous battle against cancer for over 5 years, displaying remarkable strength and courage throughout his journey. 

Born on January 31, 1959, in New York City, to John and Patricia (Miller) Sternad. At the age of one his family moved back to his mothers’ hometown of Boscobel WI where he attended Immaculate Conception Catholic grade school. He graduated from Boscobel High School in 1977 and was a member of both the wrestling and baseball teams.  More than sports, Mark loved hunting and fishing. He would often take his last hour of study hall to head to the slough or woods to get one more shot at some ducks or a deer.   After graduation, Mark attended Northland Collage in Ashland WI, later transferring to UW Stevens Point where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Management.  Upon graduation, he worked as a Fisheries Biologist for the Great Lakes Fisheries department doing fish assessments on Lake Michigan. Mark always had a love for the stock market and eventually obtained his securities licenses and became a stockbroker in Chicago.  The big city life was not what this country boy who loved to hunt and fish wanted.  In 1987, Mark moved back to Wisconsin and continued his career as a financial advisor working for United Saving and Loan in Sheboygan, WI.  In 1992, Mark accepted a sales position with BFI Waste Services and relocated to Hudson, WI. The following year, Mark started Pioneer Environmental Group based in Oakdale, MN specializing in the disposal of waste metalworking coolants and waste antifreeze. In 2017 Mark sold his company to Lube-Tech Liquid Recycling.  Unfortunately, shortly after his retirement he was diagnosed with cancer and decided to split his time between Wisconsin and the warmth of Florida.

Mark loved the big water and big boats.  Over the years he had many large boats he equipped to fish the salmon of Lake Michigan and the grouper and snapper and anything else that would bite in the Gulf of Mexico. Mark loved spending time on the water with friends and family. His enthusiasm for fishing was infectious, and his passion for the water has fostered treasured memories, leaving a legacy of shared adventures and great stories.

Mark is survived by 3 siblings, John (Patricia) Sternad of Cottage Grove, Pam Sternad of Port Washington and Dean (Lisa) Sternad of Pewaukee, nephews Austin (Rachel) Sternad, Collin (Bobbie) Sternad, Cephus Sternad, Kyle (Lauren) Sternad and Jesse (Samantha) Sternad and his niece Morgan (Hunter) Alderton, 4 great nephews as well as many cousins and lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Mary Sternad, maternal grandparents, Andrew and Florence Miller and his parents, John and Patricia Sternad.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held at a date to be determined.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.