Obituary for Michael J. Sosalla
Michael John Sosalla, 72, from South Milwaukee, WI passed away January 30, 2023 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Michael was born in Whitehall, WI July 8th, 1950 the third child to Allie and Martha Sosalla. He graduated from St. Francis HS in 1968 and served in the 379th battalion of the United States Army in Vietnam from 1970-1971.
Michael had a passion for railway transportation history which he pursued in many forms. He was an avid photographer of trains and collector and trader of photographs, slides, and videos. He loved traveling across the United States to photograph trains at his favorite locations. He was also a member of WGRF (Wisconsin’s Greatest Railfans) which hosted many railroad slide shows in the Milwaukee area. In retirement he had a successful business selling his railroad photography.
Michael was also an excellent model railroader who could create exquisite model representations of the many trains he photographed. In 1977 he was a founding member and first president of NAPM (North American Prototype Modelers), the premier HO scale model railroad club in Milwaukee. He was a very active member even until recent weeks. The club he loved which started with about a dozen members has now grown to over 115 and has been featured in various hobby publications over the years.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents Allie and Martha Sosalla. He is survived by his wife Terri, sons Daniel and Steven (Deena), brother Kenneth Sosalla, sister Janice Hoffman, and grandchildren Abigail and Benjamin Sosalla. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire staff at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice for the outstanding service and care provided for Michael. Memorials may be given to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org.
The service was live streamed. A recording is available on the Molthen-Bell Facebook page: https://fb.watch/iG6cc-dnVo/
Michael was born in Whitehall, WI July 8th, 1950 the third child to Allie and Martha Sosalla. He graduated from St. Francis HS in 1968 and served in the 379th battalion of the United States Army in Vietnam from 1970-1971.
Michael had a passion for railway transportation history which he pursued in many forms. He was an avid photographer of trains and collector and trader of photographs, slides, and videos. He loved traveling across the United States to photograph trains at his favorite locations. He was also a member of WGRF (Wisconsin’s Greatest Railfans) which hosted many railroad slide shows in the Milwaukee area. In retirement he had a successful business selling his railroad photography.
Michael was also an excellent model railroader who could create exquisite model representations of the many trains he photographed. In 1977 he was a founding member and first president of NAPM (North American Prototype Modelers), the premier HO scale model railroad club in Milwaukee. He was a very active member even until recent weeks. The club he loved which started with about a dozen members has now grown to over 115 and has been featured in various hobby publications over the years.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents Allie and Martha Sosalla. He is survived by his wife Terri, sons Daniel and Steven (Deena), brother Kenneth Sosalla, sister Janice Hoffman, and grandchildren Abigail and Benjamin Sosalla. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire staff at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice for the outstanding service and care provided for Michael. Memorials may be given to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org.
The service was live streamed. A recording is available on the Molthen-Bell Facebook page: https://fb.watch/iG6cc-dnVo/