Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The Milwaukee journalism community is mourning the sudden loss of Andy Cieciwa, a longtime assignment desk manager at WISN 12 News, whose behind-the-scenes work shaped local news coverage for decades.
Cieciwa, who lived in Milwaukee, passed away over the weekend, according to tributes shared by colleagues and community members. His death prompted an immediate outpouring of grief from journalists who described him as “the heart of the newsroom” and a steady presence in the fast-paced world of television news.
In a modern newsroom, the assignment desk is the nerve center—coordinating reporters, photographers, breaking news, and daily coverage. Colleagues say Cieciwa mastered that role with rare patience and kindness. “Everything goes through the assignment desk, and Andy handled it all with calm and care,” one former reporter wrote. “He always wanted us to do our best telling the community’s stories.”
Cieciwa was also remembered fondly by St. Thomas More High School, where he was an alumnus from the class of 1992. The school noted his lifelong love of soccer and his familiar voice announcing football and basketball games—another way he stayed connected to the community he cherished.
Beyond his professional legacy, friends emphasized Cieciwa’s devotion to family. “He loved Milwaukee, he loved Wisconsin, and most importantly, he loved being a husband and dad,” a colleague shared in a tribute that resonated widely across social media.
As fundraising efforts circulate to support his family, many in local media reflect on a broader truth: journalism relies not only on those in front of the camera, but on dedicated professionals like Andy Cieciwa, whose quiet leadership helped ensure the stories of Milwaukee were told with accuracy, humanity, and heart.