In Memoriam: John W. “Jack” Bunda

John W. “Jack” Bunda, a longtime Northern Door County businessman and community leader, died March 29 at age 76.

The owner of Bunda’s Hutch in Fish Creek and Bunda’s department store in Sister Bay, he was deeply involved in many community improvement efforts. He was a founding father of Scandia Village, a vital contributor in the effort to build the Sister Bay village marina, co-chaired Marina Fest in its early days, and built and operated the Sister Bay Pharmacy in the Country Walk Shopping Center, in which he was an investor and builder.

For many years he personally dropped the ping pong balls over the crowds of Sister Bay’s Fall Festival while riding in a helicopter, an idea he originated.

He served on the Sister Bay Village Board and was a member of Baylake Bank’s Board of Directors for 35 years.

In the summer of 2009, he carried perhaps his most famous passenger on one of his beloved antique boats when the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Trophy visited Sister Bay.

Bunda was the son of William and Alma (Witalison) Bunda. He was a lifelong resident of Sister Bay who graduated from Gibraltar High School in 1953. He attended Greer Academy in Chicago, IL, then served two years in the Army at Fort Hood, TX.

Jack Bunda is survived by his wife Patricia, children Mark, Kenan (Stephanie), Margo (Scott Johnson) and a daughter-in-law Betsy (John) Ostran, five grandchildren (Joe, Jacob, James, Madison, Izabella) and sister Audrey Larson Schram. His parents and a brother, William Jr. preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held this summer in Sister Bay. Condolences may be sent to [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Sister Bay Marina Memorial Fund or the American Cancer Society.