George D. Byrne

1943 - 2018

Berlin - George Donald "Porky" Byrne, age 75, of Berlin, died unexpectedly at home on Monday, November 19, 2018.

He was born January 10, 1943, in Neshkoro, the son of George and Mary Loshinski Byrne. George was a 1961 graduate of Westfield High School and served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard of WI for 25 years having earned the rank of Major. On June 10, 1967, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Carol Gatz, at St. James Catholic Church in Neshkoro. They were happily married for 49 years until her passing on January 15, 2017.

George started working as a butcher at Reetz's Meat & Groceries in Neshkoro at the age of 13 and retired 52 years later. George enjoyed spoiling Carol and they had many trips together including Alaska, Hawaii, Super Bowl XXXI, and many bus trips to casinos. He and Carol had wonderful adventures with their "Biloxi" family. Some of George's favorite activities included playing golf, hunting, coin collecting and listening to polka music. He was an avid Packers and Brewers fan. George served the City of Berlin as a Board of Review member, Police & Fire Commissioner and election worker. He also volunteered at the Berlin Food Pantry and was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Neshkoro. George was well known in the Berlin and Neshkoro communities, had many friends and was never short on smiles and friendly conversation. George was dearly loved by his family, friends and neighbors and will be missed.

He is survived by his sister, Betty Mendenhall; special friends and neighbors, the Olson family, Curt, Jodie, Samantha and Zachary; nieces and nephews; and his several Godchildren. George was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; brothers, Harold, Eugene, Kenneth, Dale and Robert Byrne; and sisters, Gladys Rozek, Genevieve Hoeft and Georgia Krueger.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, November 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at St. James Catholic Church in Neshkoro to celebrate George's life. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., with Father Dale Grubba officiating. Inurnment with Military Honors will be in St. James Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel of Berlin. Memorials may be directed to Berlin Food Pantry, St. James Catholic Church and for brain cancer research. Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com.