Former state Rep. James Soletski of Green Bay dies; Gov. Evers orders flags at half-mast

ALLOUEZ — Former state Rep. James Soletski's family and friends gathered Thursday afternoon for a memorial service remembering him at Proko-Wall Funeral Home in Green Bay. Soletski was 75 when he died on Aug. 20 .

Born in New Franken and a graduate from Preble High School and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Soletski worked for 20 years in energy before entering the state Assembly in 2007 as the 88th Assembly District's representative.

"A lifelong Wisconsinite, Representative Soletski was dedicated to serving others and the greater Green Bay area," said Gov. Tony Evers in a statement on Wednesday. The governor ordered all flags in the state to half staff on Thursday between sunrise and sunset.

In state government, he served in six committees, was the vice chair of the Consumer Protection Committee and Election and Campaign Reform Committee, and chaired the Energy and Utilities Committee.

The Press-Gazette endorsed him in 2008 when he ran for reelection to the 88th Assembly as a Democrat, saying Soletski's "blend of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism is a good for the district he represents."

He co-sponsored legislation in 2009 that prevented localities from placing restrictions on wind energy installations that were more restrictive than what the Public Service Commission rules laid out.

Outside of politics, Soletski was a representative for Al-Anon , an organization for families impacted by alcoholism, and was a leader at JOSHUA , a faith-centered social justice group.

Soletski was remembered to be quick-witted and empathetic, according to his memorial wall on the Proko-Wall Funeral Home website.

"According to [Solestki], he got the nickname 'Nunya' because when someone asked him a question, he would respond with 'Nunya damn business,'" the memorial wall stated.

Family and friends gathered at Proko-Wall Funeral Home Thursday afternoon. Soletski, a member of the St. Bernard parish, will be buried at Allouez Catholic Cemetery.

Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and its surroundings, as well as politics in northeastern Wisconsin. Contact him at 920-431-8247 or jlin@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Former state Rep. James Soletski of Green Bay dies; Gov. Evers orders flags at half-mast