Eugene C Pete BUYSSE

11 SEP 1931 - 15 JUN 2012

• BIRTH: 11 SEP 1931, South Bend, IN
• BURIAL: St Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, In
• DEATH: 15 JUN 2012, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 7 MAY 1955, St Stanislaus B & M, St Joseph County, Indiana

1.  Karen BUYSSE
2.  Kathy BUYSSE
3.  Kim BUYSSE
4.  Jeff BUYSSE

INDEX

[N4385] Gene C. "Pete" Buysse
Sept. 11, 1931 - June 15, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Gene "Pete" Buysse passed peacefully from this world on Friday, June 15, 2012. Pete was born on September 11, 1931, to Charles and Madeline (Monserez) Buysse. He was a lifelong South Bend resident, graduating from South Bend Central Catholic in 1949. Pete served his country in the United States Army at Fort Riley, Kansas, from 1951-53. The Korean Conflict ended just as his unit was being readied for deployment overseas. On May 7, 1955, in South Bend, Pete married the love of his life, Rita J. Papczynski in St. Stanislaus Church in South Bend. They were married for 45 wonderful years, parted only by her passing in 2001. Pete was a third-generation tavern owner following his grandfather August and father Chuck as the proprietor of Buysse's Tavern, a Westside institution for nearly 90 years. Famous for Friday night fish fries on Western Avenue, and for great cheeseburgers appropriately named "Buysse Burgers" when the tavern was at Lincoln Way and Cushing. He was fond of saying that he wasn't in the tavern business, he was in the people business. Pete was also a loyal Notre Dame fan. He spent many years throwing tailgate parties outside of Gate 10 and later at the corner of the senior bar before home games. He was also an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing all his life. He was happiest out on the lake waiting for the bluegills to bite. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, spending countless hours at baseball games, cross country meets, football games, and tennis matches his grandkids participated in. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita, and by a sister, Mary Lou Witkowski. He is survived by his four children, Kim (Joe) Metz of South Bend, Jeff (Angie) Buysse of North Liberty, Karen Buysse and Kathy (Phil) Dance, all of South Bend. Eight grandchildren, Samantha and Vince Metz, Austin and Justin Dance, Rebecca Mashon, Ron (Mandi) Mashon of Denham Springs, LA, Doug Buysse and Tommy (Kelsey) Buysse. Three great-grandchildren, Darian, Bailey and Gage Mashon; a brother, Russ (Gloria); and a sister, Lorraine Cealka. Pete was a member of American Legion Post 357. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m.. today, June 18th, at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, where the family will receive relatives and friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery following the service. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on June 18, 2012