George F. Brunk Jr.

George F. “Gerry” Brunk, Jr., 83, of Inverness, FL, passed away on March 17, 2024. He was born in Fentress, VA, on October 29, 1940, to the late George Sr. and Pauline Brunk.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Patricia; son, Bruce Brunk and his wife Michelle; daughter, Dawn Wing and her husband David; sisters, Irene Huja and her husband Satyendra, Molly Brunk and her husband John Young, and Polly Deen and her husband Gary; brother, Dale Brunk and his wife Peggy; as well as three grandchildren, Joshua, Joseph, and Deborah.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Lynn Brunk.

George grew up working in his father’s store, Oak Hill Poultry, graduating from Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, VA, in 1957.  After working in the construction business for Nice Brothers in Newport News, VA, he and his close friend Ike Oberholtzer took over the ownership of Brunk Mechanical Corporation from his uncle, Dan Brunk, and ran the business for several decades, serving the community and their plumbing, heating, and air conditioning needs across five metropolitan areas along the I-64 corridor across Virginia.  The corporation continues today in the Harrisonburg, VA area as Mast & Brunk, Inc.

George loved to travel throughout his life.  As a busy business owner with limited time for vacations, he earned a pilot’s license with instrument and multi-engine ratings to enable his family to travel long distances quickly.  In the three airplanes he owned – two Piper Cherokee Arrows and one twin-engine Piper Seneca – George and family traveled coast to coast, with Colorado and Florida being favorite destinations.  He also treasured his 1959 Thunderbird, a baby blue convertible that he special-ordered, traveled the country in across the years, and maintained in working condition to this day.  George and Pat intentionally traveled to all 50 states together, though not all of them with the T-bird.

George was a lifelong member of the Warwick River Mennonite Church in Newport News, supporting both international missions and the local church.  He preferred to work behind the scenes, supporting organizations and people to help make a difference. George elected 1-W service as a conscientious objector and stayed in touch with that community throughout his life, attending reunions with Pat around the country.  In his later years, he prioritized taking care of his kids and grandkids, including building his daughter’s house and supporting his son in his real estate business. In 2023, George and Pat finally settled in Inverness, FL, to be close to their grandkids.

A Memorial Gathering will be held from 6:00-7:00 PM, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Heinz Funeral Home in Inverness.  George will be laid to rest at Warwick River Mennonite Cemetery in Virginia at a later date.