Meet Vic Passante
Vic Passante, retired OHS teacher, traveler, and all around ambassador of life! I chose to interview Vic because he is synonymous with everything good about life in Lake Country. He exudes positivity! Former drama and performing arts students, many from his tenure, recently created a special reunion tribute, “Our Turn… Again”, held at the Oconomowoc Arts Center, celebrating their lifelong love of singing and performing. The Green Room at the theater, “The Vic”, is named in his honor. He greets everyone he meets with a warm smile, a hug or hearty handshake, and a listening ear. His love of family and community make him a perfect choice to be among those highlighted in the Faces of Lake Country! And so without further ado, here’s my friend and former teacher, Victor Passante!
Vic has lived and worked in Lake Country for many years. He taught speech and theater at Oconomowoc High School from 1974 – 2007. Vic was quoted in the interview as saying, “Obviously, I appreciated the district to spend my entire career there. Appreciated??? I LOVED it and often said, “Being the Drama Director at OHS was the Best Gig in Waukesha County.” The students were engaged, the parents were involved, and the community supported theater and all art forms. I was very lucky.”
Shortly after he retired in 2007, he became the Travel Coordinator for Continuing Education at UWM at Waukesha. In this role, he works with Lifelong Learners from Southeastern Wisconsin, leading them around the world on educational and bucket-list adventures. He considers himself very fortunate to have traveled to Egypt, Italy, Scotland, Australia, France, and other phenomenal international destinations, including over thirty trips throughout the U.S. in this role and is honored to continue teaching, for the past 15 years in classrooms without walls.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Jacki and I were high school sweethearts and will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary this summer. We have three children and seven grandchildren. Rachel and Scott Howard have five children and live nearby in Sussex. Nathan lives in Ashland, OR. He is very happy with his wonderful girlfriend Christina. Vanessa and Jeremy Phelan live in North Carolina with their two children. I love being a grandfather, or Gumpie, to Jaelyn, Andrzej, Breleigh, Kason, Emerson, Charlie, and Sophie.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Whether I was teaching high school or leading senior citizens in educational travel, I think what I liked most was bringing my groups of learners to new experiences. l loved sitting in a theater with kids who had never been to a play or musical. I enjoyed the excitement of traveling to sites like the Great Pyramids, Machu Picchu, Mont Saint Michel, Vatican City, and more and experiencing them with appreciative learners.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Sobies… I love the farm-to-table food and vibe (click here for a link to read Lydia Sobel’s interview). Roots… or what I like to call, “The Place Where Oconomowoc Meets”.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 1974.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
No way I could limit it to ONE. Betsy Freeman was a parent, school board member and the strongest support to the theater program while I was teaching. Dirk Debbink, Chuck Herro and Craig Schiefelbein are three community members I most want to emulate. They have been committed to civic duty like no others.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
It’s A Wonderful Life and most Frank Capra films.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Even though life can be “whelming” you can never be “overwhelmed”. There is always time to tackle a worthwhile project; there is always time to help others.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I directed several dinner theaters at Olympia and have great memories of those shows… and Olympia. I am confident that the new community being built there will be exciting and add much to Oconomowoc.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would have lunch with Hugh Jackman at Roots, so don’t bother us if you happen to be there, too. I recently saw him on Broadway in The Music Man, and he was fantastic; however, I’d like to spend time with the man… not the star. He is so unaffected by fame. He, quite notably, acknowledges understudies during curtain calls, spends 20 minutes and more at the Stage Door visiting with fans after a show, and I understand that he buys the entire cast and crew gifts every Sunday and hand delivers them acknowledging each person for his/her value to the production. I love that.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Other than the Oconomowoc Arts Center, most of the excitement here is outdoors. Every day, you see people walking around Fowler, a favorite meet-up activity of mine; jogging in a quiet neighborhood; boating on a lake; enjoying an outdoor concert; biking on a trail; or simply enjoying Lake Country.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I’m not young. Jacki and I enjoy the solitude of a pine forest, but we will most likely settle into some sort of senior community. Who knows?
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I can fly! Not really. Most people know most everything.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My family.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My grandchildren. This past summer, I directed an alumni show with 50 theater alums. Hundreds of former students and parents came to the OAC for the event. Most of my grandchildren were not alive when I was teaching or directing shows. Emerson was amazed with the crowded lobby and the attention she received because she was Mr. P’s granddaughter. She told Rachel, her mother, “Mom, I am famous now.” I guess I want her and all of my grandchildren to be proud of me, and it inspires me to not let them down.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Safety, Love.
