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CRYSTAL FALLS -- George Frank Brunswick, 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls.
Born on March 2, 1939, George was a lifelong resident of Iron River. George grew up on Strawberry Hill, and his family were active members of St. Mary's Assumption Church, where George served as an altar boy. He was a proud Hilltopper, graduating from Stambaugh High School in 1957.
Upon graduation, George began his long and successful career at the Gambles Hardware store on Genesee Street in Iron River. In 1959, his deft skills as a salesperson earned him a promotion to assistant manager at the Gambles store in Superior, Wis. As fate would have it, Superior was where he met the absolute love of his life, Annette “Annie” (Kenville), and her “good Catholic family” of 12 brothers and sisters. Once he was inducted into the Kenville clan, George and Annie were married at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Superior on Nov. 26, 1960.
George then earned a promotion to manager at the Iron River Gambles store, and the family permanently relocated back to Iron River. Always a natural entrepreneur, George purchased the Coast-to-Coast Hardware store on Genesee Street in Iron River, offering a variety of hardware and household goods to the surrounding community. A few years later, George and Annie purchased an existing antiques emporium in Iron River called The Pickle Barrel. It was a tourist haven, featuring a penny candy counter, a player piano, and the namesake giant Pickle Barrel, where customers could pick their own pickle for a nickel. He successfully managed the two businesses for many years before expanding his business empire to include a new location of the Coast-to-Coast store in Crystal Falls.
Much later in his career, George sold the hardware franchise and opened Iron River Appliance in the back of the building he owned on Genesee Street. There, he worked many a deal with friends, neighbors, and the community, always doing the customer right and offering the ultimate in customer service.
In his retirement, George enjoyed puttering around the house and kept himself active with various jobs. He worked as a sexton at the Stambaugh Cemetery for several years and then joined the grounds crew at Young's Golf Course on Chicagon Lake, where he immensely enjoyed his early morning duties mowing the fairways.
George was a staple of the local community, known for his hard work, dedication, and helpful spirit. He served his community through his dedicated work on the Iron County Board of Commissioners, the Stambaugh Township Board, the West Iron County Fire Board, and the Iron County Fair Board. He also served as president of the Southwest Iron County Community Credit Union and was active on the church council at St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church. George was also a proud member of the Iron River Eagles Lodge and the Iron River Elks Lodge.
George loved Iron River and the Upper Peninsula. The Brunswick's lake house on Camp Lake, adoringly known as "Camp Nannie-Pop-Pop," was his slice of heaven. He enjoyed many afternoons sitting on the deck, sipping a cold beer, overlooking the lake, enjoying the squirrels and hummingbirds. In the winter, he would feed the deer and squirrels, watching them through the sunroom window.
George was a diehard Green Bay "Packer Backer," and he and Annie attended many games together at Lambeau Field. He was proud to have worked as an usher at the infamous Ice Bowl victory against the Cowboys at Lambeau on New Year's Eve in 1967.
George is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Annie. He was a proud and devoted father to his daughters, Patty (Al Sleeman) of Pinckney, Mich., and Georgia (Mark Schultz) of Atlanta, Ga. He is also survived by his son, Gary of Marquette. George’s legacy lives on through his cherished grandchildren: Carlie and Jack Sleeman, and Davis and Addison Schultz, all of whom brought immense joy and pride to his life.
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Andrew and Theresa; his brother, Robert (Joanie); his sister, Beverly (Raymond Guiliani); and an infant sister, Marian.
George will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, and the community he served for his kindness and generosity, his infectious sense of humor, and the enduring love he shared with those around him.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River. A Catholic Mass in celebration of his life will follow at 1 p.m. at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River, with Father Daniel Fosu to officiate.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of George Frank Brunswick online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.
Funeral arrangements are by the Jacobs Funeral Home Inc. of Iron River.