George Fait

MIDDLETON - George A. Fait, age 86, passed away Saturday, March 9 after a long illness. He was born May 13, 1926 in Riplinger, WI, the son of Edward and Sophie (Swetz) Fait. During his childhood, George and his brother Larry had the dubious distinction of meeting the notorious gangster Baby Face Nelson at a local gas station where he bought the boys sodas.
After graduating from Wilmot High School, George enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with distinction in the 63rd Infantry Division, 255th Regiment, M Company. The most moving experience of his life occurred at the end of WWII in Germany liberating Heidelberg and one of the Landsberg concentration camps, as depicted in the mini-series, Band of Brothers.
He attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and graduated with a BS degree in Insurance from the Commerce School. After starting his career at the Hartford Insurance Company, George founded Capitol Indemnity Corporation in 1959. He served as its President and CEO, building the company to $150 million of revenue with over 250 employees until its sale in 2002.
George and his family settled in Shorewood Hills in 1956 and served as Village President from 1969-1973. During his tenure the Village acquired the Post Farm Park and built the Shorewood Hills Swimming Pool complex.
Philanthropy was very important to George. He was one of the Founding Families of the American Family Children's Hospital and donated generously to many local charities including the United Way, the University of Wisconsin and Henry Vilas Zoo.
His hobbies included hunting and fishing and he was an avid Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packers fan.
Survivors include his children, Leslie (Jim) Farmer of Winnetka, Illinois, Joel (Rhonda) Fait of Middleton, Wisconsin, Diane (Frank) Zillner of Middleton, Wisconsin; a sister, Virgiline Schulte; grandchildren Rick and Bill Farmer, Cole, Dean and Blake Zillner, Kyle and Drew Fait and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Lawrence; and former wife Marjorie Fait.
George's family is especially grateful for the loving care provided by
all of his wonderful caregivers over the past seven years. George was
blessed that he was able to live in his own home and enjoy the
beautiful view of the pond.
A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, March 16 at 11:00 AM at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2015 Parmenter Street, Middleton, WI with Msgr. Douglas Dushack officiating. Friends may call from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to either The Henry Vilas Zoo, Friends of the Zoo, Attn. Christina, 606 S. Randall Avenue, Madison, WI 53715; The American Family Children's Hospital, 1675 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792; or St. Bernard Parish, 2015 Parmenter St., Middleton, WI 53562.