Paul W. Saftig, former Mayor of Kenosha, passed away on Monday, May 3, 2010, at the age of 83 in Punta Gorda, FL.
Born on August 23, 1926, in Kenosha, he was the son of the late Paul and Nellie (McManus) Saftig. Paul was a 1944 graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School. On August 1, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the South Pacific on LST 873, USS Eldorado and USS Rochester. He was honorably discharged on August 22, 1947.
On November 20, 1948, he married Beverly Dyberg at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Paul worked for Wisconsin Bell for 36 years as a Lineman, Cable Splicer and Safety Supervisor. He was very active politically in Kenosha; from 1968 until 1976, he was Alderman of the 18th Ward; from 1976 until 1980, he was proud to have been the Mayor of the City of Kenosha. He then became Alderman of the 15th Ward from 1982 until 1988. He retired in 1988 from both his job and politics.
Paul was a member of St. James Catholic Church, VFW Junker Ball Post 1865, National Member of LST Veteran’s, The Danish Brotherhood, the former Elk’s Lodge of Kenosha, the Navy Club, and was elected Kenosha Old Timer Baseball Hall of Fame-1999. Paul especially loved time spent with his family and great friends during summers in Mauston, WI, and winters in Punta Gorda, FL. He took up golf and was proud to make two hole-in-ones. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, still waiting.
Paul is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly; three sons and one daughter, Tom (Mary) Saftig of Lisle, IL, Sandy (Tom) Rugg of McKenzie, TN, Bob (Joyce) Saftig of Kenosha, and Dan (Leslie) Saftig of Ames, IA; nine grandchildren, Bob Saftig Jr., Brian (Nikki) Saftig, Carrie (David) Elliott, Becky (Darrin) Reed, Paul Saftig, Joe (Fiancée Kim Kratovil) Saftig, Nellie Saftig, Jacob Saftig, and Andy Saftig; eight great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Kyle and Koby Reed, Katy, Ally, Sam and Dylan, and Elliott and Olivia Saftig; and two sisters, Donna Mae Tures of Rockford, IL, and Mary Lou Puzan of Grand Rapids, MI.
Funeral services were held on May 10, 2010 at the Proko Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church, followed by interment in St. James Cemetery.