BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) – A longtime advocate for responsible alcohol service and a pillar of the local business community has died at the age of 91.
According to his obituary, Vern Krawczyk died Sunday at a local care facility following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and their three children.
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The Brown County Tavern League paid tribute to Krawczyk in a social media post, calling him someone they were “honored to have on our side.”
After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Krawczyk and his wife owned the Skytop Supper Club for more than 30 years. He later served as president of the Brown County Tavern League for 23 years, while Judy spent six years as a Wisconsin State Representative.
Krawczyk taught at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for more than 15 years, where he instructed responsible beverage server courses. He was a strong advocate for safe and responsible alcohol consumption, regularly working with law enforcement and helping to pioneer the SafeRide program in the area.
He also served on the City of Green Bay’s Protection and Welfare Committee, now known as the Protection and Policy Committee.
Beyond the tavern industry, Krawczyk was active in community causes, particularly the NEW Zoo. Through partnerships with the Tavern League and the Restaurant Association, he helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the zoo, including funds to purchase its first giraffe.
Krawczyk also served on the Advisory Council for St. Vincent’s, chaired fundraising efforts for the Sky Ranch for Boys, and led the Brown County Republican Party.
“While I was serving as president of the Brown County Tavern League, Vern and I traded hand-written letters, which to me was like getting an autograph from a celebrity,” said Don Mjelde, Eastern District vice president of the Tavern League of Wisconsin. “This is a man who, without hesitation, consistently gave back to the community that supported his family and business.”
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Mjelde added, “Today, through misty eyes, we raise a glass. To the man who helped shape the good in all of us… may we all strive to help our friends and neighbors as much as Vern showed us we can.”
Dozens of community members left tributes on his obituary page, reflecting on Krawczyk’s legacy and the lasting impact he made on those around him.
