George P. Kaufman, age 96, a Manitowoc resident, entered into eternal life on Monday, April 7, 2014 at Rivers Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc.

George was born on September 7, 1917 in Manitowoc to the late Joseph and Louise Geisler Kaufman. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1935. On June 24, 1942, George married Irene Lynch at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Manitowoc. Irene preceded him in death on October 9, 2010. He had served as an alderman in Manitowoc for two terms and was employed with Manitowoc Company for 41 years until his retirement in 1982. Upon retiring, George became more active in biking and had averaged 5,000 miles per year for 20 years. From the age of 13, George was a member of the Boy Scouts of America where he served in many capacities and received many awards including The Eagle Scout Award, The Silver Beaver Award, and The St. George Award. At the age of 23, George began donating blood and was proud to have donated over 37 gallons throughout his life. He also assisted with the development of The Blood Center of Wisconsin in Manitowoc. George had served on the Rahr West Museum board. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Friends of Sinawa, and was a committee member for the class of 1935 reunions. George was very active in his church life and was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc.

Survivors include George's five children: Pat (Charles) Holst, Manitowoc; Tom (Colleen) Kaufman, Portage; Nancy (Robert) Gamble, Sturgeon Bay; John Kaufman and his special friend, Kathy Bader, Amsterdam, Holland; and Mary Kaufman, Manitowoc; nine grandchildren: Marge Berry, Erin, Kyle, Ross and Ryan Kaufman, John and Amy Gamble, Karen and Joe Kaufman; three great granddaughters: Anna and Faith Berry, and Mackenzie Gamble; sister-in-law: Donna Kaufman, Oshkosh; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Irene, two brothers: Robert and Joe, and sister: Alice Sanderson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand, 1416 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Dave Beaudry with burial to take place at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Friday, April 11, 2014 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Retired hospital Chaplain Molly LaFond will lead a prayer service at 7 p.m. to conclude the visitation. The visitation will continue on Saturday at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, N. 11 ^th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

George's family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Laurel Grove Assisted Living, Dr. Danby and his nurse, Laura, and River's Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center for the kind care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in George's name.