Joseph George Swiderski's Obituary
Joseph Swiderski, affectionately known as “Orbiting Joe,” peacefully passed away on January 4, 2026, just weeks short of his 92nd birthday. Born on January 29, 1934, in Mosinee, Wisconsin, Joe lived an extraordinary life marked by hard work, courage, vision, and entrepreneurship.
Joe, one of eight children, was born to Joseph and Anna Swiderski, first-generation immigrants from Poland who entered the United States through Ellis Island. From an early age, Joe exemplified the determination, resilience, and self-reliance instilled by his immigrant roots. At just 15 years old, he purchased his family’s 120-acre dairy farm from his parents in Mosinee, launching a lifelong journey as a businessman and visionary. In 1956, he married Joann “Joanie” Buska, daughter of Eva and Joseph Buska, also of Mosinee, Wisconsin. The couple lived in the basement of the home they built as finances allowed, since Joe’s farmhouse had burned down the year before.
In the late 1950’s, Joe took over Swiderski Implement from his oldest brother, building a successful farm and industrial equipment business. Years later, he helped establish his younger brother Alex in business by selling him the implement dealership and then went on to purchase another implement business in Bonduel, Wisconsin. He prominently displayed two oversized space rockets on the exterior of the building which led to his well-known self-designated nickname, “Orbiting Joe.” The family farmland in Mosinee was sold, and the Indianhead Golf Course resides on much of it today, where he was a lifetime member.
After years of growth, Joe relocated his family to Leesburg, Florida, in 1973, while continuing business ventures in Wisconsin, including buying, selling and auctioning farms with his father-in-law, Joseph Buska. He also operated a smaller implement business in Leesburg.
Joe eventually expanded into real estate development and utility ownership across Wisconsin, Florida, and Georgia. In Florida, his developing efforts shaped the Highway 441 commercial corridor—now home to Lake Square Mall, Olive Garden, and other well-known establishments, as well as the Quail Pointe, Summit Chase and Summer Wind residential subdivisions. In Wisconsin, he developed Emerald Pines, Emerald Oaks, Joe Swiderski Villas, Jo-Ann Heights, and The Days Inn on Orbiting Drive in Mosinee. As an advocate of preserving trees and green spaces, he generously donated Joe & Joan Swiderski Park to the City of Wausau and Bull Junior Creek Natural Area to the Village of Kronenwetter, among other lasting landmarks. In the North Georgia mountains, Toccoa Farms, Elgin Mountain and Deer Creek Trails subdivisions stand as part of his enduring legacy. His influence remains visible today in the communities he helped build.
Never one to confine himself to a single pursuit, Orbiting Joe was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent cherished time in the Big Woods of Northern Wisconsin, on the waters of Canada and Florida, and in travels that took him across continents. Joe was a lifelong supporter of the Green Bay Packers, holding season tickets for several decades, and previously owned both a farm-level baseball team and a race car team—reflecting both his love of sports and his adventurous nature. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Club in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Joe attended St. Paul’s Catholic Church for 52 years, contributed generously to the church and its affiliated private school, and was a longtime brother of the Knights of Columbus.
Joe will be greatly missed by his wife of 69 years, Joann Swiderski. He is also survived by his daughters Judy Fischer, Jacqueline Husebo, and Joy Vermillion (John Vermillion); his sister Sue Walters and brother Alex Swiderski; and his grandchildren Lancée Kurcab; Wendell, Sophia, and Caroline Husebo; Patrice Fischer Aybar and Catherine Boizelle; Robert, Geoffrey, and Patrick Fischer; and Jessica and Joseph Vermillion, along with 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Jayne Fischer and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1330 Sunshine Avenue, Leesburg, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Page-Theus Funeral Home. Burial will follow the services at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 1901 County Road 25A, Leesburg.
Arrangements are entrusted to Page-Theus Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, Florida. For those who wish, memorials may be made in Joe’s name to St. Jude’s Hospital (https://stjude.org/donate) or JMJ Pregnancy Center (https://jmjpc.org).
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