Barbola Funeral Chapel

Patrick J. “Pat” Curran

Patrick J. “Pat” Curran, age 94, of Berlin, died peacefully on September 15, 2022, at SSM Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac.

He was born March 17, 1928, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Thomas and Isabelle Kramp Curran. Pat was a 1946 graduate of Berlin High School.

At the age of 12, he got his first job, faithfully delivering the Milwaukee Journal for a salary of 1 cent for the dailies and 2 cents for the Sunday papers, assisted by his dog, Judge. At the age of 15, with WWII in full swing, Pat helped fill the need for workers on the home front working after school driving a laundry delivery truck. During the summers he worked for his grandpa, whose company, Kramp Construction, established many of the roads and bridges throughout Wisconsin. After graduation, Pat worked at his father’s quarry and as a truck driver for Stefke Freight Company. In 1956, Pat bought controlling stock in Berlin Brewing Company, a city landmark operating since 1867.

The brewery had been struggling, but Pat saw the potential in the company and its dedicated brewery workers. He succeeded in reviving the brewery and turning a profit for many years. Due to changing market conditions, Pat decided to close Berlin Brewing Company in 1964. For the next 30 years Pat distributed Schlitz, Blatz and Old Milwaukee out of the building that was once the brewery's truck garage on Brooklyn and Webster Streets. As a business owner, Pat was a proud sponsor of many Berlin organizations including Berlin parades, as well as bowling and fast-pitch teams which won multiple trophies. He participated in many groups, like the Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, Berlin Boat Club and Snowmobile Club. He was a lifelong supporter of the Berlin Indians. Pat and his wife, Marie, enjoyed spending over 30 winters at their second home in Mercedes, Texas.

He is survived by his children, Colleen (Mike) Raterman, Tom (Karen) Curran, Ann Gleichert (Tom) and Mary Curran; his children from his marriage to Marie, Patti Curran and step-son, Greg Bartol; 11 grandchildren, Melissa, Jennifer, Emily, Kathryn, Dan, Kyle, Naomi, Seth, Cody, Cal, Cullan; and nine great-grandchildren. Pat was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; and daughter, Connie Curran.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 16, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Wells-Krause VFW Hall, 420 N. Wisconsin Street, Berlin. Join them and have a beer on Pat! Inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Memorials may be directed to the BHS Alumni Association. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Patrick Curran, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.