After a 12-year battle with cancer, the longtime owner of LaFleur's Gymnastics in Germantown has died

Greg LaFleur's coaching philosophy was not all about winning; it was about supporting his gymnasts.

LaFleur, 67, died Jan. 10 after a 12-year battle with colon cancer.

For example, there was one athlete who decided to concentrate on diving instead of gymnastics.

So what did LaFleur do?

"He went to diving meets," said Tammy Donahue, LaFleur's cousin, who coached with him for 30 years. He supported all his gymnasts, said Donahue.

"He cared about each one more than just an athlete," added Maya Wickus, who had LaFleur as a coach since she was 10. "He was very involved with them (his gymnasts)."  

LaFleur built, coached, owned and operated LaFleur's Gymnastics, at W189 N10991 Keinmann Drive, Germantown, since he built it in 2008. From 1986 to 2008, his gym was in Menomonee Falls. Before owning a gym, he coached, Wickus said.

Wickus and Donahue will take over as co-owners of LaFleur's Gymnastics.  

'It was his happy escape'

When LaFleur was undergoing chemotherapy and not feeling his best, Donahue attempted to send him home.

It did not work.

"He said, 'Am I going to go home, sit on the couch and feel sorry for myself?' He said that this is what he loves doing," said Donahue. "He loved coaching. It was his happy escape."

While he did not always have set hours at the gym when he was very sick, he came in when he could and did what he loved until he died.

"Coaching was his passion," said Donahue.  

LaFleur's entire family was involved in gymnastics, Donahue said. LaFleur competed at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. His brothers, Jeff and Mike, and sister, Toni, own gyms in Florida.

His brother Tim was on the 1980 Olympic boycott team, while Jeff competed in the Olympic trials in 1976.

LaFleur grew up in Greendale; he was living in Glendale when he died.

Donahue also said that about 20 of LaFleur's athletes have received Division I college scholarships.

"That was one of his goals," said Wickus. "And that is a good goal for people who come in and work hard six days a week."

'He gave me goals I did not even know I had'

When Wickus began taking lessons with LaFleur, she did not immediately have a Division I scholarship goal. But as she practiced — while learning the lifelong skills of persistence, determination and overcoming hurdles — LaFleur told her it was an attainable goal.

She competed at the University of Iowa and graduated in 2013. 

"I was able to attend college and earn a degree while making lifelong best friends," said Wickus. "I learned everything from Greg and Tammy."  

She came home after college looking for a job. She was not necessarily looking to coach, but LaFleur needed one and hired her, Wickus said.

In 2017, he offered Wickus the opportunity to buy the business.  

"Now I can carry on his legacy," she said.

Donahue said she will also remember LaFleur as a skilled technical coach. 

"He said it is important to enjoy each thing they do well. Things are hard, and there are bumps in the road, but you can overcome them," said Donahue.

"He always believed in us. It is taking the good with the bad and learning how you can do better," she said.

What is next for LaFleur's Gymnastics?

Both Donahue and Wickus said they look forward to keeping LaFleur's Gymnastics open and honoring LaFleur's legacy. About 100 to 150 students participate in the competitive program each year, Wickus said. The recreational program has about 500 to 700 participants in each of four sessions a year.

"Right now, we are focused on keeping the business running," said Wickus. "We want to keep it fun and safe." She said she is looking forward to having Olympic-themed camps this summer.

LaFleur always emphasized that the most important thing is for all kids to have a place to come, be active and to stay out of trouble, said Wickus.

"We plan to use his philosophy — to provide a fun and safe environment and be happy to work with everyone," said Wickus.

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KozlowiczCathy.