Gregg "Coach" Dufek

Gregg (Coach) James Dufek

Gregg Dufek of South Milwaukee passed away peacefully on February 17, 2025. Gregg was born in Milwaukee, WI on December 24, 1933, to the late Charles and Leona (Fischer) Dufek. He attended St. Florian Grade School and Milwaukee Boys Tech High School where he excelled in football earning a scholarship to Montana State University. After college, Gregg returned to Milwaukee where he began his teaching career with MPS which would span 38 years. Gregg taught biology at Milwaukee Pulaski High School as well as being the head football coach and assistant track coach.

In 1961 Gregg married Susan (Sobocinski), and together they welcomed five children. Gregg will be deeply missed by his wife Susan of 64 years, his children Michael (Diana), MariJane, Peter (Carol), Daniel (Stephanie), James (Colleen), his grandchildren Amanda, Dominique, Vincent, Iliana, William, Joseph, Megan, Amelia and his great-grandchildren Ethan and Ruby, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends, too numerous to mention by name. Gregg is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles (Rita), Jerry (Ethel), Robert (Audry), Marvin (Carol), and sister Patricia (Joseph) Frinzi.

Playing pick-up games of football with his older brothers begin Gregg’s love of the game. The love of the game continued at St. Florian’s and continued at Milwaukee Boys’ Tech High School where he earned all-conference and all-state awards as a tackle. Gregg’s education continued at Montana State University where he played football for the Bobcats and earned all-Rocky Mountain Conference mention. In 1956 Gregg was a member the of National Championship team earning a trip to Arkansas to play in the Aluminum Bowl. After graduation, Gregg returned to Milwaukee to begin his teaching and coaching career. At Pulaski, the Rams won two conference championships and finished as runner-up ten times. Gregg was the longest-tenured head coach at one school in the history of the city conference. Gregg was a part of a committee that helped set up the WIAA football playoff system, he served as president of the Milwaukee Coaches’ Association. He received numerous football honors including being inducted into the Montana State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987. He received the Milwaukee City Conference Football Coach of the Year in 1995 and was selected as an assistant coach of the 1994 Shrine Bowl and co-head coach of the 1996 Shrine Bowl. Gregg was a member of the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association where after retirement he continued to promote the game of football and was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999.

In retirement, Gregg enjoyed being a member of the South Milwaukee Lions Organization, traveling, spending time with family, his summer golf leagues, and working in his gardens.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral Home – 4747 60th Street, Greenfield 10:00 am until the time of Funeral Services at 1:00 pm.