There was nothing Gennady "Gene" Levshetz wouldn't do for his family.
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, who first met Levshetz nearly 30 years ago, said he worked long hours to create a better life for his family after they left the former Soviet Union.
"He came for a life of freedom, and really made a beautiful life for them in Mequon," she said.
Levshetz, his wife and their 6-year-old daughter Tanya came to the United States in the summer of 1989 from Belarus.
"Immigration was very, very difficult, but Gene and Alina knew what they were working toward: the American dream, a secure life for their family, and opportunities for their children," the family said in a statement.
They landed in Shorewood for a couple of years before moving to Mequon.
Levshetz had a degree in civil engineering, his family said, and worked as a boiler operator at Molson Coors. They said he beamed with pride about the job from the day he was hired.
A second daughter was born here and both attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Levshetz loved to visit them there and have lunch at Memorial Union.
He also enjoyed taking his family to Mexico, took great pride in his home, and his health, working out and walking regularly.
"Gene loved nothing more than to spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and lifelong friends," the family statement said. "They will all miss him and the joy he brought to their lives."
Tanya said her father, who was 61 when he was killed in the Molson Coors shootings Feb. 26, raised her to be a strong woman, and passed on his handyman instincts, too. "I can put together just about any piece of IKEA furniture and I will only hire a handyman as an absolute last resort," she said.
His daughter Becca said her father always made her feel loved, smart and beautiful. "In spite of everything that may make this world seem horrible and unfair, this is the same world that gave me the best daddy in the world, so there must be some good in it after all, and I will continue to cherish my life and my family the way he did."
Moore said Levshetz's death has hit her especially hard, serving as a stark reminder that "you're not going to escape this gun violence."
The congresswoman first met the Levshetz family in the early 1990s, when she became a devoted customer at his wife's nail salon.
"He would come in, he was so supportive of her," Moore remembered. "He would bring supplies, or run errands, or whatever."
One of the things Moore remembered most about Levshetz was his work ethic.
"He had worked the graveyard shift, worked double shifts, worked like a dog taking care of his family," she said.
She also praised him as a doting husband, father and grandfather, one who adored his family and wanted only the best for them.
"I just can’t think of a more American story — bootstrapping kind of story — than Gene," Moore said. "Bringing his wife and one child over here, and starting all over again. Looking for a better life, and had one for a long period of time."