With grieving hearts, we announce the passing of Owen L. Accardo. He departed this life at Angel’s Grace Hospice, wrapped in the arms of his loving wife, Patti, and surrounded by three generations of nieces who loved him. Owen was preceded in death by his mother, Billie Jean Accardo, both sets of grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

Owen was born in Beaumont, Tx, to Billie Jean Accardo and was adopted by Sam Accardo. Owen’s favorite summers were spent with his grandparents in Lufkin, Tx., where he spent the days riding a horse in the woods with his “Pappy”, who was a lumberman.

Owen graduated from South Park High School in Beaumont, and attended Lamar University. He then enlisted in the Air Force, and served from 1967 – 1971, during the Viet Nam war. He proudly served his country as a flight line mechanic in Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines. He described this period as one of the best times of his life.

In 1981, he met Patti on a blind date in Dallas, TX. She became his best friend and the love of his life for 42 years. They were married in 1983 and lived a fulfilling life in Dallas. They both loved to travel, and took many wonderful vacations, both here and abroad. In 2003, he and Patti moved to Delafield, Wisconsin, to help care for her aging parents. After retiring from his job as a Surface Mount Specialist, he was thrilled to snag his “dream retirement job”, working at Nagawaukee Golf Course, first as a member of the grounds crew and then as a Course Marshall. He enjoyed his retirement job for 15 years, until he began to lose his ability to speak fluently. This was the beginning of a seven-year battle against a vicious disease with no treatment and no cure; Nonverbal frontotemporal dementia. Throughout his illness, Owen always found comfort with his faithful canine companion, Charlie.

Owen is survived by his wife, Patti of Oconomowoc; his brother, Sam Accardo, (Elizabeth); and step-sisters, Helen Doga and Judy Rosenbaum, all of Texas. He is further survived by many loving nieces and nephews, friends and caring neighbors.

We are filled with gratitude for having his great-great niece, Sophia Kresnak, to help care for Owen. She gave him so much joy in the last months of his life, and he loved her in return.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 1600 N. Genesee Street, Delafield, WI.

Visitation from 11:30am – 12:45pm, followed at 1pm by the celebration service. A light lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donation be made to HAWS of Waukesha, in Owen’s name.