Richard Frank Cincera

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Richard Cincera, 85, a man whose life was defined by hard work and a quiet kindness that everyone who knew him felt deeply. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in the very home in Knowlton he was born in, surrounded by his loving family.

Rich was born on May 16, 1940, son of the late Frank and Theresa (Dawiedczyk) Cincera. He married Monica J. Wonsil, on September 25, 1971, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Peplin, she survives.

Rich, also lovingly known as Richard, Richie, Dad, Pops, The King and Popsie Wopsie, was a quiet man of few words with great quick humor, mostly shared with his family at the kitchen table, but most often when nobody expected it. He was a self-proclaimed “very handsome man” and love to joke around with his children. He was well known to reach into his pocket for a quarter in exchange for a compliment.

Born with a natural affinity for the land, Rich poured his heart into dairy farming—a vocation that was more than work, it was his passion and calling. Through early mornings and long days, he tended to his cows with care and raised crops of corn, hay, peas and oats, soybeans, sunflowers and Ginseng. His dedication to the land was matched only by his love and commitment to his family. He loved his wife and children with all his heart and there was a special place for all the dogs and cats he cared for over the years.

Beyond farming, Rich was a joyful spirit who never missed a beat on the dance floor. An excellent polka dancer, he could glide and twirl his wife Monica with an energy that matched the rhythm of any celebration. His talent extended to music as well—he was a gifted concertina player, bringing life to the farmhouse with polka music that made everyone smile. His love for polka music and dance was a reflection of his lively soul and his ability to bring joy wherever he went.

As a young man while farming, Rich also served the town of Knowlton as the grader operator, building roads that connected neighbors and brought people closer together. His work helped build the backbone of Knowlton. He was very proud of building Wambo Road along the lake and many other roads in Knowlton.

After retiring from dairy farming at 62, he continued his grader work with the town of Guenther, he drove an old grader and literally sat on a 5-gallon bucket instead of a seat until the town bought a new grader, which he was so very proud to operate. He graded dirt roads during the summer and woke up at all hours to do snow removal in the winter. Friends and neighbors often remarked that you could tell when Rich had worked a stretch of road—it bore the unmistakable touch of someone who cared deeply about doing the job right.

Rich loved to make trails with his tractor on his own land and would spend hours creating amazing trails that wound through the land he was so proud of. One of Rich’s favorite things to do was taking his daily ride on the Gator, with his dog and his brother Eugene’s dog running in front of him. Whether it was winding down the quiet trails he made or heading toward Johnson Creek, Rich loved giving his dogs the chance to run and jump into the water for a cool swim. These daily outings weren’t just routine, they were little celebrations of companionship, nature, and the simple pleasures of the life he had created.

He will be remembered for his kindness, his wisdom, sense of humor and the quiet strength that made him a pillar of his family. His legacy lives on in every field he planted, every road he graded, and every life he touched.

Above all, we will miss his amazing smile—bright, genuine, and often paired with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. It was the kind of smile that could light up a room, lift a weary spirit, and speak volumes without saying a word.

Besides his wife Monica, Rich is survived by his children, Lisa Cincera, Hailey, ID, and Bob Cincera, Mosinee; brother, Eugene Cincera, Mosinee; sister, Josephine (Jerry) Lassa, Mosinee; brother-in-law, Carl Belohlavek, Mosinee; as well as his dog Sophie and cat, Miss Kitty. Besides his parents, Rich was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Belohlavek and Marie Cincera.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 25, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Knowlton. The Rev. James Trempe will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.