Norbert Edward “Norb” Buresh, 92, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023. He was born April 4, 1930, in the Town of Montpelier, Kewaunee County, to Joseph and Tillie (Stodola) Buresh and started his life on the family farm which is still part of the “larger” Buresh family after over 100 years. Norb did not want to farm as he hated the dust, and during his senior year, the immediate family moved to Green Bay where he graduated from East High School, participating in football and boxing.
In 1956, he started construction of a home and shop in Bellevue with his growing family. He worked for Zeise Construction Company for about 30 years and also built custom cabinetry on the side, as well as performing many odd remodel or repair jobs. Later, he worked maintaining the US Bank building in downtown Green Bay, while being the building inspector for the Town of Bellevue and eventually the Village of Denmark also for about 30 years. A photograph notes March 31, 2000, as his retirement date, but he really never retired. He worked on the Shay Lake property (helping to install a water system for the multiple property owners), a solar collector for his shop, and hundreds of small projects for himself and any friend or relative who needed help.
Norb was also a founder of the Bellevue Fire Department, active from 1970-2000. He was forever proud of his 30 years with the fire department. He worked for the Town of Bellevue and volunteered at the Weidner Center for almost 25 years. He also enjoyed the limited time he had to hunt and fish in Oconto County. Norb was a member of several building inspector associations, of New Hope Presbyterian Church and of their board of trustees for more than 9 years.
He is survived by five children, Thomas (Debra) Buresh, Duluth, MN; Donald (Debbie) Buresh, De Pere; Greg (Carol) Buresh, Prospect Heights, IL; Deb (Mitch) Specht, Green Bay; Steve (Karen) Buresh, Troy, NY; he is also survived by a son-in-law, Mark Griffin, Green Bay; grandchildren, Scott Buresh, Julia Specht, Lisa (Tom Schwermin) Buresh, Matthew Specht, Sara Buresh, Nick Buresh, Kaitlyn Buresh, Adam Buresh, Lillian Buresh and Clarissa Karpen; and his children’s mother, Dorothy Buresh.
He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Buresh; a daughter, Patricia Griffin; a daughter-in-law, Suzan Buresh, his parents, Joseph and Tillie Buresh; brothers, Joe (Marge) and John (Catherine) Buresh; sisters, Stella (Bernard) Wavrunek, Lillian (Ray) Han; and Margie (Don) Moens.
Visitation will be held at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, January 13th. Firefighters will stand honor guard during the visitation on Friday and perform a final salute at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 2401 Deckner Ave. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Entombment will be at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum in the Town of Scott. To send online condolences visit www.prokowall.com.
Thank you to Norb’s son-in-law Mark Griffin who was instrumental in helping in his last few weeks of life. Special thanks to Iris Pinchart his long-term lady friend who was there throughout his final journey to the Lord. Also, to Bellin Hospital and their attentive staff, to Allouez Parkside and to Unity Hospice, thank you for your wonderful help during Norb’s illness and with his end of life care.
Jeane Smits is serving the family.