Raymond Anthony Konkol, Jr.

Raymond Anthony Konkol, Jr.
(Founder of Ray’s Butcher Shoppe)

Ray was born August 19, 1944, in Milwaukee, WI. On Friday, May 7, 2021, Ray found eternal peace with his mother Katherine and father Raymond. Ray is survived by his beloved two sons, Raymond A. Konkol III/Tony and Paul A. Konkol. He is also survived by his cherished daughter-in-law Ginger Konkol (wife of Tony), his adored grandchildren, Drew and Lauren Konkol (children of Tony and Ginger), and Jacqueline Valcq (treasured girlfriend of Paul). Loving brother to Judy (the late Dennis Janssen), Dianne (Richard Jones), Marilyn (Dennis Thierbach), Roman/Romey (Susan), Joseph (Margaret Kay), Katherine (Joseph Lesak), and Charles/Chuck (Jacqueline). Further survived by Margo Balestrieri (mother of Tony & Paul), Nancy Beauchamp (loving stepmother of Tony & Paul), Kathy David (loving companion of Ray), many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Ray graduated from Pius XI High School, Milwaukee, WI in 1962. He started working in the grocery business with National Food Stores, becoming a store manager. He later apprenticed to become a butcher. With his master butcher credentials in hand, he bravely and confidently branched out on his own in 1977. He purchased a small butcher shop/grocery store in Bay View. Ray refined his business skills and developed his popular products & recipes. He envisioned a new opportunity to expand to an additional location in Greenfield, WI as he continued to operate his Bay View location. He purchased property in Greenfield, WI, and built Ray’s Butcher Shoppe on the current Loomis Rd site. It has grown into one of the most popular butcher shops in the Greater Milwaukee area. Ray’s hard work was rewarded with success and being named Greenfield’s Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year” in 1995. An avid connoisseur of food, he became a trendsetter in the area for local grocery stores and butcher shops. Ray had a passion for the butcher shop and his many customers. He always held his original Bay View customers in high regard. Their loyalty was never forgotten by him. For many employees, Ray was more than a boss: he was a teacher and mentor. He took great pleasure in seeing his employees grow. When he semi-retired, he made his trusted manager Perry Podd his managing partner/co-owner. Perry’s role substantially increased when Ray became ill and was no longer able to be involved with the everyday operations.

Ray loved life and the rewards for hard work. After semi-retiring he spent leisure time at his lake home in northern WI and spent winters in Arizona. He traveled extensively to far-off places like China, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska. Being an outdoors man, he enjoyed going on hunting trips with his brothers, who were also his best friends. Ray loved his brothers and was proud to be the big brother to Romey, Joe, and Chuck. He was delighted in telling people how he taught his little brothers to fish. He was the captain of the brothers’ boat. They took many hunting and fishing trips to Canada, Wyoming, Colorado, and North Dakota. These trips often produced epic stories/experiences for them. His sisters delighted in family celebrations and holiday parties he hosted, and they helped him prepare the most wonderful Christmas Eve gatherings for their very large extended family. Fishing with Tony, and golfing and watching Packer games with Paul were priceless to Ray. His children always knew that their father never thought he was arguing or wrong, but merely explaining why he was right. A very special thank you to the staff and caregivers at Congregational Home. We will be forever grateful for the care and attention you gave to Ray over the years.

A Memorial Gathering will be held to honor and celebrate Ray’s life from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Friday, May 21, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 12700 West Howard Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the gathering time at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ray’s memory to:

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

12700 West Howard Avenue

New Berlin, WI 53151