John George Safar passed away peacefully on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the age of 90.
He was born April 27, 1935, in Port Arthur, Canada, the son of Yugoslavian (present day Slovenia) immigrants Gregor and Marya Safar. Growing up in rural Canada, he pursued academics and graduated from Royal Roads Military Academy where he was a Canadian Air Force pilot. John then went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Tech in 1959.
John started his career in Milwaukee, holding positions of increasing responsibility at Allen Bradley, FMC, and Allis Chalmers. He became a U.S. citizen in 1965 and took pride in flying both the US and Canadian flags. He received a Master of Science in Engineering Management from MSOE in 1970. He was a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Wisconsin. He holds four patents and several of his designs were used on the Apollo space program. In 1979, he founded and became President of Safar Machinery Company.
John was an active member of IEEE and was past chairman of The Numerical Control Society. He held a commercial pilot’s license and flew his Twin Engine Cessna 310 for over 20 years. He lived in Menomonee Falls for most of his life with his wife Eileen Sharon where they raised their three children. John was very active in the community as a part of the neighborhood watch, a member of The American Legion, and a teacher at WCTC. John loved cheering on the Green Bay Packers and took great pride in watching his three children and eight grandchildren grow.
Preceding John in death is his wife Eileen Sharon (O’Connor) in 2004 and his brother Joseph in 2006. He is survived by his sister Maryanne Ricci, his three children: Shannon Safar, Lynn (Jon) Boos, Scott (Katie) Safar, his eight grandchildren Tyler, Cole, Jakob, Liam, Sean, Ethan, Ellarose, and Zuzu, and nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Legion or EAA Aviation Foundation.
Family, friends, and others whose lives John touched are invited to attend his Celebration of Life at St. Mary Church, N89 W16297 Cleveland Avenue, Menomonee Falls, WI on Tuesday, July 8th. A wake will begin at 10am, followed by Mass at 11am.