Obituary: John W. Birkenberger, 88, Formerly of Cheshire

Obituary courtesy of Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services

THE CASEY FAMILY IS HONORED TO BE CARING FOR AND ASSISTING THE FAMILY OF JPHN BIRKENBERGER

HAVERHILL, MA - John W. Birkenberger, 88, of Plaistow, NH, formerly of Cheshire, CT, passed away peacefully in Haverhill MA and rejoined his late wife, Carol (Steck) on January 25, 2021.

John was born in Waterbury, CT on June 15, 1932, the son of the late William and Freida (Smith) Birkenberger. He graduated from Crosby High School and The University of CT, School of Engineering with a BS in Engineering. John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army with the rank of Sergeant during the Korean War 1951-54 with the First Armored Division “Old Ironsides” in Fort Hood, TX and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. John was employed by The Bristol Company in 1959, but also started the JWB Company in 1987, before retiring from Bristol Babcock in 1998 after 39 years. John also served on the Town of Cheshire’s Zoning Board of Appeals and as Justice of the Peace for many years. John and his wife, Carol were married for over 60 years and lived in Cheshire, CT from 1965-1998, then retired to Kennebunk, ME and Punta Gorda, Florida before returning to New England in 2018 to be close to their family.

John was an accomplished carpenter/woodworker, a trade he learned early on from his father who was a master cabinetmaker. He enjoyed traveling, skiing, boating, fishing, hunting and shooting. He took his family on many memorable vacations in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Many of his family members often comment that he made the best daiquiri around and was always ready for a party.

John was predeceased by his daughter, Marilee, wife Carol, father and mother, William and Freida Birkenberger.

He leaves behind a family that will miss him dearly that includes his daughter and son in law, Beth Yuskaitis and Art Certosimo of Merrimac, MA, son and daughter in law, Jamie and Anne Birkenberger of Wolcott, CT, grandchild, Tony Yuskaitis of Boston, MA, sister, Margaret Orsini of Naugatuck, CT, brother, Paul Birkenberger of Punta Gorda, FL, brother, William Birkenberger of Northport, FL, brother, Lawrence Birkenberger of Fuquay Varina, NC and brother, Joseph Birkenberger, of Waterbury, CT

There are no local services planned for at this time and burial will be at the convenience of his family. A Celebration of Life will be held after the Covid#19 pandemic has passed. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services 1987 East Main St Waterbury CT 06705 was honored to be entrusted with John’s arrangements. Memories endure only if you share them, so please feel free to leave words of comfort, a condolence or a personal memory on John’s tribute page at www.eastsidememorial.com . To honor John’s memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Alzheimers Association.