Allan H. Bley

Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, there was no greater accomplishment in the life of Allan Bley than establishing a legacy that was deeply rooted in faith, compassion for others, and unending love for his family. He was the perfect balance between hard-nosed and determined and being fun-loving and carefree. There was rarely a time that Allan lost his cool as he took almost everything in stride, and he also exemplified what it meant to be a man of his word. He lived his life guided by a moral compass that never wavered, and his beliefs and values were passed on to all who were within his reach. Life will never be the same without Allan here, but the timeless wisdom and shining legacy that he leaves behind will be proudly carried on by those who follow him.

It seems only fitting that Allan’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. The Roaring Twenties were filled with the peak of Broadway, the birth of the radio, and a love for baseball thanks to legends like Babe Ruth. Nestled within this time was the year 1926 that was greeted with great joy for one young couple from Port Washington, Wisconsin, as they were blessed with the birth of a baby boy on January 10th. Allan was one of six sons born to his parents, Aloys and Frances (Antoine) Bley, and he was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Robert, Donald, William, Fred, and Gary. Life was always a bustle of activity in the Bley home, and Allan learned early on to take a serving the first time around as it was rare that there would ever be a second time around! He experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for his generation in a home that was deeply rooted in love.

As WWII enveloped our nation and much of the world during the early forties, Allan proudly served his country in the Army during this time of need. He was stationed in the Philippines, patrolling the shore to prevent looting. Allan’s time in the service spanned from 1944 through much of 1946.

After graduating from local schools as a young man, Allan later attended Marquette University, earning a degree in business administration in 1951. With his education behind him, Allan was poised for greatness. He began working as a purchasing agent for Bolens Corporation and J.I. Case before owning and operating Placements of Racine, beginning in 1967. Allan was at the forefront of the staffing industry as his firm was one of the first of its kind in the state. He additionally served as president of SME, Sales, Marketing, Executives, and WAPC, Wisconsin Association of Personnel Consultants. Additionally, Allan was one of the original founders of Inter-City Personnel Associates, a nationwide recruiting and placement co-op. Allan sold Placements of Racine and retired in 1992.

Life was forever changed for Allan as a young man when he met the young woman with whom he would spend 50 years. Her name was Patricia E. Poole, and they met at Blink’s Bar after bowling. Deeply in love, they were married on August 16, 1952, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Washington. Together Allan and Patricia were blessed with three sons, Michael, James, and Thomas, and one daughter, Gail. Allan was deeply saddened with Patricia’s death in 2002.

Allan was an extraordinary father right from the start. When his boys were younger he was known to bribe them to eat their spinach by rewarding them with a wrestling match if they ate it all, and his children always looked forward to going to their grandpa’s soda water factory on Saturday mornings where they could drink all the free soda they could handle. Allan taught his children discipline, and it was quite something to have his boys spring into action for inspection when he yelled, “lineup soldiers!” He never missed a school or sporting event that his children were a part of over a period of eight years. It was never about winning in Allan’s book, it was always about doing your best. Of course as the only girl in the family, Gail was her father’s number one fan. She held fast to the things he instilled within her like character and responsibility in addition to filling her with confidence. When working for Allan, Gail learned what an honorable man he was in business as well, and it was also her father who was instrumental in bringing her husband into her life.

In addition to his family, Allan’s life was enriched in other ways. He had an unwavering faith in God that was complimented by daily prayer and regular church attendance at St. Mary’s by the Lake. Allan was an avid sportsman who loved the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers, and he also loved Marquette. He loved golf and was a member of Meadowbrook Country Club where he was proud of his hole in one in 1993.

New and exciting changes were in store for Allan after striking up a conversation with a woman named Charlotte “Char” (Kowbel) Wieczorek while standing in line at the post office. After continuing to get to know one another over one-and-a-half years, Char and Allan were deeply in love. They were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Racine on November 14, 2003 and along with Harley who they loved like a kid they started a new chapter in their lives. Later when Allen resided at the Elizabeth Home he would look forward to Harley’s visit on the weekend.

Allan Bley was a remarkable man to know and love. He was a devoted father to be sure, but he just may have argued that becoming a grandfather was what he had been waiting his entire life for. Allan was a man of integrity and honor whose faith was the moral compass he used to guide his steps. The memories he leaves behind will be lasting treasures in the hearts and lives of those too numerous to count.

Allan H. Bley died on Thursday, August 22, 2013. Allan’s family includes wife, Charlotte “Char;” daughter, Gail (Pete) Toler of Racine; sons, Michael (Marie) of Lake Mary, FL, James (Michele) of St. Charles, MO, Thomas (Kathy) of Castle Rock, CO; grandchildren, JR and Christina Toler, Danielle, Marissa, and Matthew, Samantha and Nicholas Bley, Todd Morgan and Jack Bley and Erin Barrett; brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred (Betty) Bley, Gary (Shirley) Bley, Esther Bley and Iva Bley, all of Port Washington, and Sylvia Bley of Cedarburg; special friends, Gene Bunge and Dick Roloff; nieces, nephews, other relatives, many dear friends and his dog, Harley; Char’s family: son, Perry (Marlene) Wieczorek; grandchildren, Nick (Beth) Wieczorek, Lynn (James) Haasch; four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Gloria Kowbel and Eleanore Mischo. In addition to his parents and first wife, Allan was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Donald, and William; sister-in-law, Germaine Bley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 27, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s by the Lake Catholic Church, 7605 Lakeshore Drive. Full Military Honors to follow. Private interment will be held. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Memorials to the Veterans of Foreign War, Disabled Veterans, and to the Alzheimer’s Association have been suggested. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.