GoFundMe page looking to build life-size bronze statue of South Milwaukee pro-wrestler 'The Crusher'

SOUTH MILWAUKEE - He may have been known as “The Man That Made Milwaukee Famous,” but Reggie “The Crusher” Lisowski was actually from South Milwaukee and may soon be honored there with a statue.

"How 'bout 'dat?" as The Crusher, or sometimes stylized as "Da Crusher," used to ask.

A GoFundMe titled “’Da Crusher Statue Memorial Fund” was started in December 2017 with a $40,000 goal to fund a bronze, life-sized statue of the man with the “100 megaton biceps.”

In just over a month, 16 people have raised nearly $3,500.

"’Da Crusher embodies the spirit of American life and his hometown,” said Chris Smith, the organizer of the GoFundMe. “He is a local hero and example of the heart, mind, and body of all those who cheered him on.”

The Crusher wrestled professionally for over 40 years, starting in 1949. He earned many championships during his run, including being a three-time American Wrestling Association (AWA) Heavyweight Champion and a five-time AWA Tag Team Champion with Dick the Bruiser.

The Crusher was part of the All-Star Wrestling cast of characters that was a staple on UHF TV stations in Milwaukee, and elsewhere, during the 1960s and 1970s.

Lisowski was inducted into the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Hall of Fame and was a WWII Army veteran, according to the GoFundMe page.

Smith said the goal of the statue is to honor Lisowski’s legacy. Smith had no further comment on plans for the statue but said more information would come out soon.

“'Da Crusher symbolizes the embodiment of the blue collar, hard working history of the people of South Milwaukee and a monument honoring his memory will be a proud landmark for the people of South Milwaukee forever,” the GoFundMe page states.

South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks said he loves the idea of honoring "Da Crusher," calling the lifelong resident an "iconic figure" for South Milwaukee — "inside and outside the ring."

"I'm excited to see this effort gain momentum, but it's early," Brooks said. "We'll work on details with the organizers later, maybe over a beer."

Remembered with a ring

The Crusher died in 2005 at the age of 79 of a brain tumor.

Maria Miller has been working at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 3800 E. College Ave. in Cudahy, for 18 years. She recalled when Lisowski died he was honored with an actual wrestling ring set up at the entrance of the cemetery. She said his daughter lent a pair of his boots, which were placed in the center of the ring on a small table during the funeral procession.

Lisowski’s wife, Faye, died a few years before him in 2003. Miller recalled how he would visit the cemetery and just talk with her and her husband, Butch, for “what seemed like a couple of hours” prior to going to his wife’s grave.

Miller recalls The Crusher once ended up at the cemetery office during a Christmas party.

“He would sit around and just be a normal guy until somebody would recognize who he was and then he would take pictures with them, flex his biceps like he used to, and use words like ‘dollies,’ just like he did when he was a young and professional wrestler," Miller said.