Bruce Fairbairn

Fairbairn, Bruce D.

Bruce D. Fairbairn, 78 of De Pere passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday October 15, 2013. He was born October 29, 1934 in Green Bay to the late Donald and Dorothy (O'Toole) Fairbairn. Bruce was a 1954 graduate of Catholic Central High School in Green Bay. In 1956 he entered the Navy and served until 1958. In 1959 he met Charlotte Eschelweck at the Lorelei Inn which her parents owned and established. On May 27, 1961 Bruce and Charlotte were married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Green Bay. Bruce started to bake in the service, and continued afterwards working for Dave Renier for many years. He had also worked at Red Owl Warehouse in Ashwaubenon. Bruce liked to restore Corvair cars, and was a charter member of the North East Wisconsin Corvair Club Inc. Helping his family out whether it be painting which he really enjoyed, or just fixing things up was something Bruce liked to do. He also enjoyed fishing, swimming, and going to the cottage. In his younger years Bruce enjoyed collecting and smoking tobacco pipes, which he decided to give up when his first grandchild was born. The last couple years he has belonged to the Insider One Program at the N.E.W. Curative, where he liked to paint, build, and create many things. Bruce's family always came first, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte, children; Cyndie (Ken) Diny, and their children Crystal and Kayla, Jim (Laura) Fairbairn, and their daughter, Autumn (Tony) Gonzalez, and their children, Amelia and Sofia, and Don (Jacki) Fairbairn and their children Chandler Fairbairn and Corey Lemke. Bruce is further survived by his brother Bill (Lea) Fairbairn, and his sister Heather (Ken) Besaw. Charlotte's family also survives; Bud (Pam) Eschelweck, Betty (Jim) Cegelski, Carole (Don) Proctor, Sarah (Jim) Kubiak, Jean Kasel, Leann Eschelweck, Marn Eschelweck, and Joy Lemerond. Preceding Bruce in death were his grandson Michael Benton Fairbairn; brother and sister in laws; Mary (Rick) Colwell, Robert Eschelweck, David Eschelweck, and Tom Eschelweck Jr.

Friends may call at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME 305 N. Tenth Street De Pere after 3pm on Friday October 18, 2013 until time of service at 7pm with Fr. Tim Shillcox O.Praem officiating entombment in Allouez Catholic Mausoleum. Full military honors will follow the service. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the family

The family would like to thank Insider One Program at N.E.W. Curative as well as the neighbors from Wishart Ave. and Nicolet Highlands for all they did for Bruce.