By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Local Culver’s owner and community benefactor, Conroy Soik passed away April 4 at the age of 56.

Conroy was a 1981 graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior High and a 1985 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.

He and his wife Mary entered the Culver’s business as franchisees in 2002, becoming owners of the Marshfield restaurant as well as a handful of other restaurants in the Green Bay area.

Conroy was a valuable contributor of many organizations, including Future Farmers of America and Children’s Miracle Network. Most notably, Soik was an originator of Marshfield’s Get Fired Up for Safety event. Soik collaborated with Dar Wernberg, of Rose Bowl Lanes, to create the event in 2003.

“The idea came up to ask area fire departments to participate in a parade, followed with an afternoon of displaying their equipment, with a few demonstrations and challenges,” Wernberg recalls. “Conroy ran with this idea saying he was hoping to look out Culver’s window to a sea of red.  After approaching the fire departments I told Conroy that it wasn’t going to be a sea, but an ocean of red as the first year we had 12 local fire departments anxious to participate.

“Culver’s became an essential part of the ‘Get Fired Up For Safety’ event.  From the very beginning they served dinner following the event to all the fire fighters and volunteers that participated.”

The Get Fired Up for Safety Event continues as a means of connecting with the community regarding the topic of Fire Safety. The event is held annually on the second Sunday of October.

“Even after Conroy opened up more Culver’s in the Green Bay area, he would take time to show up for this event with a huge smile,” Wernberg added. “For the past 15 years Culver’s has provided support both financially and physical.

“Conroy’s generosity and love for the community has made it possible to educate the public about fire safety in the home, and to show everyone’s appreciation to all the area firefighters for all they do.”

Private family funeral services will be held at Martens /Rembs Funeral Home, Junction City. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Custer. A full obituary is available at www.rembsfh.com