Remembering Fr. Tom Venne

This past Monday, the church of Milwaukee lost one of it’s pillars, Fr. Tom Venne. While many of us here at St. Anthony on the Lake remember him as our beloved pastor from 1994—2004, his life as a servant leader to this Archdiocese, goes well beyond his 10 years here. What follows is the “Curriculum Vitae” or “Course of Life” for Fr. Tom Venne, that was released from our Chancery this past week. It is my hope that as you review it, you will realize the full scope of his ministry.

With hope in the Resurrection, we commend to the Lord, Reverend Russell Thomas Venne, who died on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the age of 90.

Born on January 31, 1936, in Racine, Wisconsin. Father began his priestly formation at St. Francis Minor Seminary in St. Francis from 1956 – 1958, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 1958 – 1962. Father was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor on December 20, 1961, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome.

Father Venne was first assigned on August 29, 1962, as Assistant at St. Kilian Parish in Hartford. He was appointed Associate Pastor at St. Mary Parish in Elm Grove on June 17, 1969. On August 21, 1973, he was assigned as Pastoral Team Member at St. Agnes Parish in Milwaukee. He was appointed Administrator and Pastoral Team Member at St. Agnes in Milwaukee on June 14, 1977. Father was appointed President at St. Francis de Sales College in Milwaukee and Administrator of DeSales Complex in St Francis on July 1, 1981. Father was assigned as Pastor at St. Philip Neri Parish in Milwaukee on July 13, 1982. On June 26, 1990, he was appointed Pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Kewaskum with the Mission of St. Bridget in Wayne. On September 25, 1991, he was appointed Vicar for Clergy Personnel of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Father was assigned as Pastor at St. Anthony Parish in Pewaukee on August 23, 1994. He retired from active ministry on June 30, 2004.

Fr. Tom’s accomplishments here at St. Anthony on the Lake are equally impressive:

• He hosted neighborhood listening sessions with the hope of finding out the needs of the parishioners.
• He raised the money, designed, built, and dedicated our beautiful house of worship in 1999.
• He forged the twinning relationship with our sister parish, Santisimo Sacramento, in Piura, Peru.
• He hired Dr. Kathie Amidei and in turn supported our Life-long Faith Formation program.
• He initiated and led many of our youth mission trips.
• He visited the homes of each First Communicant.

On a personal basis, I will always remember Fr. Tom for his pastoral presence, his visionary leadership, his homilies with his “props in the bag,” and his ability to remember everybody’s name. He taught me how to age gracefully, humbly, and gratefully. I will always be grateful for the strong foundation he laid for me to follow in his footsteps. He will be missed by many. Rest in peace good and faithful servant.



His Mass of Christian Burial will be here at St. Anthony on the Lake on Thursday, July 9 at 11 am with Bishop Jeff Haines preaching and presiding.