He was often referred to by many in the community as Mr. Port Washington, or by his family as John Boy or TOUJ.

John Harold Sigwart loved Port Washington, and he devoted his life to making the community a better place.

John, 80, was active in the Greater Port Washington Kiwanis Club, serving in a number of leadership positions and championing such events as the popular Chili Bowl and the Week of the Young Child. He was also instrumental in the development of Possibility Playground, worked with Port Main Street Inc., particularly its resource committee, and worked on community celebrations such as Maritime Heritage Festival, Fish Day and Pirate Fest.

He was also involved in city operations, as the city engineer from 1972 to 1980, then as a public official. He was the city's 7th District alderman from 2017 until April 2025.

When he left office in April, City Administrator Melissa Gossett wrote, "John, you have helped shape this city — not just through the policies you have supported, but through the relationships you built, the mentorship you offered, and the laughter you shared along the way."

"Your humor has brightened long meetings, your guidance has helped steady many of us, and your friendship has meant more than words can say. You made Port Washington a better place — not just in how it looks or how it runs, but in how it feels to live here."

The reason for his involvement was simple, his wife JoAnn said. "He loved Port Washington more than any person I know," she said. "He loved it with a passion. He did everything he could to support it, to make it better."

John died of pancreatic cancer Tuesday, August 5, at his home on Theis Street.

He was a native of Oak Park, Ill., born on October 4, 1944, to George and Marie (Fieberg) Sigwart.

After graduating from local schools, he earned his engineering degree at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, then took a position with the City of Minneapolis. Many years of his career were spent as senior civil engineer at Miller Engineer & Scientists in their Sheboygan and Kimberly offices.

He also served in the Army National Guard.

He married Kathleen McGowan on February 18, 1967, at St. James Church in Arlington Heights, Ill., and the couple had three children. Mrs. Sigwart died in 1980.

John married JoAnn (Benore) Charles on June 16, 1984.

John "was the most compassionate, most loving, caring person," his wife said. "He was a gentle, gentle soul.

"He was so outgoing. He could talk to anybody. He enjoyed people so immensely." That helped in his work as an alderman, she said, because he was comfortable talking to his constituents to get their take on city issues.

John loved fishing and would often organize family fishing outings. "Fishing was his other passion," his wife said. He also enjoyed sports, both professional sports and those his grandchildren played. He enjoyed working in his yard and gardening and was an avid reader.

John was also a senior guest lecturer and instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 35 years and at UW-Milwaukee for 14 years.

"He told me, 'If I had to do it all over again, I would be a teacher,'" his wife said. "He really enjoyed the students."

John "got joy out of life and out of people, all different kinds of people. He had a joy of living, and a lot of people can't say that," she added.

John is survived by his wife JoAnn of Port Washington; children David and Deborah Sigwart, both of Round Lake, Ill., and Michael (Alison) of Fredonia; stepchildren Kristin (Mike) Markiewicz of Port Washington, Kari Graske of Windsor and Kevin (Shannon) Charles of Kaysville, Utah; grandchildren Lauren Webb, Dylan Webb, Jake Markiewicz, Luke Markiewicz, Brady Charles, Camden Charles, Colton Graske and Jenna Graske; two nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, sisters Judy Reed and Susan Castle, two brothers-in-law and three nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grafton at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August, 19th. Father Steve Lampe will officiate. Visitation will be at the church from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Inurnment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Mequon.

Memorials are suggested to the Port Washington Kiwanis Foundation.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com .