George F. Brunswick

George Frank Brunswick, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, Michigan. 

Born on March 2, 1939, George was a lifelong resident of Iron River. George grew up on Strawberry Hill and the 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 as a Sales Clerk 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, Wisconsin. 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 Klan, George and Annie were married at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Superior on November 26, 1960. George then earned another 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 & 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 name’s sake 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 worked on the grounds crew at Young’s Golf Course on Chicagon Lake, where he enjoyed his duties mowing the fairways in the early mornings.

George was a staple of the local business 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 loved Iron River and the Upper Peninsula. The Brunswick lake house on Camp Lake, lovingly known as “Camp Nannie-Pop-Pop”, was his slice of heaven, and he enjoyed many afternoons sitting on the deck, sipping a cold beer, overlooking the lake and watching the squirrels and humming birds. 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, Michigan, and Georgia (Mark Schultz) of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his son, Gary of Marquette, Michigan. 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) and 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 entrepreneurial drive, his guidance, and the enduring love he shared with those around him.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 11:00 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 1:00 pm at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River, MI with Fr. Daniel Fosu to officiate.