George Clifford Burdey

George Clifford Burdey, 83, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on March 2, 2024. He will be dearly missed.

George was born on January 30, 1941 in Milwaukee to Mildred Bernetha (Young) and Emil Joseph Burdey. George was the baby boy of the family who enjoyed the doting of two older sisters, Delores (Tracy) and Mary Jane (Schwager). His cousin Kathy, who joined his family when she and he were both about 8 yrs old, was also like a sister to him. As a child, he especially enjoyed riding his bike and fishing trips to Friess Lake with his Uncle George.

George graduated from South Milwaukee High School in 1959, where he played varsity basketball and was an avid member of the choir.  Some of his best high school memories were of performing in operettas, including playing Slick Fothergill in ‘Girl Crazy’ his senior year. His choir teacher complimented his strong bass voice, but also reminded him to “be an inspiration, not an instigator.” Apparently, George’s troublemaking ways go way back.

In 1960, George joined the U.S. Air Force where he was a radio repairman in the 54^th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron on missions flying into typhoons to obtain meteorological information. He enjoyed his military service on Guam and R&R in Tokyo, and he was discharged in 1964 in the early days of the Vietnam Conflict.

In May 1966 he married Mary Telisak, and they welcomed daughter Julie in 1967. After Mary passed away from breast cancer in March 1974, George was left to raise Julie on his own, but with lots of support from the Telisaks, Tracys, Schwagers, and family friends. He enthusiastically learned how to brush Julie’s hair using “No More Tangles”, helped sell Girl Scout cookies, and coached her softball team. He also kept up with some of his own hobbies, like singing barbershop quartet, and working full-time as a tool designer at A.O. Smith.

George then met Ruth McKillip at Catholic Singles, and on April 9, 1988 they got married. Ruth and George had many happy years of living in their home on Graylog Lane in New Berlin; visiting their cherished grandson Felix in Austin, Texas; attending family celebrations including for his new McKillip family; having coffee with good friends Joyce and Rich and many others; and traveling to Ireland, London, Paris, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. George loved nature and music, playing cribbage, telling terrible jokes, putzing around the house, and, most of all, being with Ruth.

In addition to Ruth and Julie, George is survived by beloved grandson Felix Stimets, son-in-law Michael Stimets, sister Kathy (Jim) Rolke, sisters-in-law Sue McKillip, Mary Pautz, and Dolores (John) Sandleback, and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by parents Mildred (Young) and Emil Burdey, first wife Mary (Telisak) Burdey, sister Delores (Clem) Tracy, sister Mary Jane (David) Schwager, sisters-in-law Eva Krocka and Barbara Spuhl, and brothers-in-law Tom McKillip, Dick Pautz, Steve Telisak, George Telisak, Peter Telisak, Nick Telisak, Mike Telisak, Philip (Margaret McDougall) Telisak, and Walter Telisak.

Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Friday, March 8, 2024 at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin with service to follow.

If you would like to make a donation on George’s behalf, please consider an environmental cause such as Sierra Club or the International Crane Foundation.

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