IN LOVING MEMORY OF
William
Harvath
August 24, 1932 – July 15, 2024
Obituary
William "Pinky" Harvath passed away on July 15 th, 2024, with his wife Judy and his 2 cats, Bella and Babygirl by his side. He was born on August 24 th , 1932, to Paul and Anna (Meyers) Harvath in Niagara, WI. Pinky was one of eight children and graduated from Niagara High School in 1950.
Pinky was a very proud Navy man. In 1952, at the height of the Korean War, he enlisted in the US Navy. He played baseball for the Navy's Admiral Fleet and traveled throughout the Hawaiian Islands and managed the Navy Bowling Alley in Honolulu. During Pinky's time in the Navy, he was also deployed on the USS Brush, which was commissioned in the East China Sea. He was extremely proud to be part of the 40 th Northeast Wisconsin Honor Flight, where he traveled to Washington DC with fellow servicemen to tour national monuments and memorials erected in their honor.
Pinky was the prototypical Wisconsin sports fan. He loved watching the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. He, along with family and long-time friend and Packer Player, Fuzzy Thurston, would organize tailgate parties at Lambeau Field. He proudly watched the Packers win Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans with many beloved family and friends and his youngest sister Margaret.
If there was ever a person born to own a tavern, it was Pinky! He had a joke for every topic, and he was in his element as the owner and proprietor of Pinky's Tavern and Pinky's 919 Club on Oregon St., in Oshkosh, WI. He sponsored, managed and was a teammate to numerous dart, bowling, dartball, baseball and softball teams, including Tommy's Angels. The Tommy's Angels softball team represented Oshkosh in tournaments across the state and nation. Pinky was honorably inducted into the Wisconsin Softball Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also a long-time member and President of the Wisconsin Tavern League. He also owned a mobile home dealership in Redgranite, for a period of time. Pinky was an energetic and captivating entrepreneur. Many people can just hear his voice saying his favorite word "BULLSHIT!!!".
On August 23, 1996, William married his wife of 28 years, Judy (Kuehl) Harvath. Together they owned and operated Pinky's 919 Club. They enjoyed day trips to casinos together and loved hosting many family gatherings, especially during the holidays. One of Pinky's greatest joys in life was spending time with their grandchildren. He was also incredibly dedicated to taking care of his late mother-n-law, Pearl.
When Pinky wasn't at the tavern, you could find him working or raising Weimaraner's on his farm in Omro. Or, later in life spending time with his Weimaraner companions, Barney and Blue at his cabin near Pine River, WI. He proudly hosted and entertained guests that came to visit. Pinky loved to be surrounded by family and friends!
William is survived by his stepchildren, Steve (Dawn) Paulick, Dan (Shelly) Paulick, Chad (8/12/1974-10/9/2009) (Mandi) Paulick, and Judy (Branden) Scott, Steven (Christa) Harvath and Gayle (Rick) Pawlowski. Grandpa Pinky will be missed by 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was loved by many nieces , nephews, brother and sister-in laws, and will be remembered by numerous other family members and friends.
William was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna (Meyers); seven siblings, Paul (Irene) Harvath, Patricia (Bob) Peterson, Gail (Dutch) Trunk, James (Carmen) Harvath, Joseph (Norma) Harvath, Thomas Harvath, and Margaret (Terrill) Thibert; his first wife, Mary Ellen Harvath (Gay), and great-grandson, Matthew Harvath. Pink was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Pearl Marie Rose Sheppard.
There will be a celebration of life at Herbies Acee Deuce, 1329 Oregon St, Oshkosh, WI, on what would be his 92 nd Birthday; Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Please wear your favorite sports team or Pinky's memorabilia. There will be a Military Burial at his hometown cemetery in Niagara, WI on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11:00am.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Harvath, please visit our flower store.
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