Record donation to Milwaukee Basilica to add air conditioning

The Basilica of St. Josaphat will be getting a much-needed air conditioning system this summer thanks to a record donation to the church - about three-quarters of a million dollars - officials announced on Easter.

A Milwaukee-area family pledged to donate the system in honor of the late head of the family, William E. "Pa" Fotsch, who died about a year ago at the age of 80.

He wasn't a parishioner at the basilica, but a business owner, engineer and University of Notre Dame graduate who appreciated the beauty of the historical landmark from the first time he visited.

"My mother, my father and myself went to the church a few years ago and went on a tour. It was during that tour my dad made the decision he wanted to do this," son Tom Fotsch said.

"He was very dedicated to his Catholic faith. He was extremely impressed by all the people who built that church, who dedicated many of their non-working hours and financial resources to that basilica, which is absolutely gorgeous. He felt this was his way of contributing to that."

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