A decorated veteran and a dedicated family man and citizen, George W. “Bucky” Brimmer Jr. authored a remarkable life.

Brimmer, a 1942 graduate of Lansford High School, served with the 193rd Glider Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

He was the recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge, Glider Wings, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.

Following his discharge, he returned to Lansford, where he joined the American Legion in 1945. Brimmer worked in the mines as an engineer for the Lehigh Coal and Navigation at the No. 10 colliery until the cessation of the mines in the Panther Valley on April 24, 1954.

One week later, on May 1, he started at the United States Postal Service, where he worked for 36 years until his retirement in 1987.

Brimmer passed away on Sunday following a brief battle with COVID-19. He was 96.

He celebrated 60 years of marriage with his late wife, Mary Alice (Sassaman) Brimmer, before her passing in 2011. They had three children: the late Meryl Hodon, Gwyneth Collevechio of Lansford, and George III of Coaldale; five grandchildren, Sara Karnish, Allison Fredericks, Brittany Collevechio, Morgan Brimmer and George Brimmer IV; and one great-grandson, Holden Karnish.

Bucky was a distinguished man, one who worked for a better life at home and abroad.

“He fought many battles while working in the coal mines of Panther Valley; he faced many battles of health (in) regards for his daughter (Meryl Hodon) and later his wife,” said Gwyneth, “plus battles in every day life. But this last battle of COVID-19 was the last battle he just could not beat.”

Earlier this year, the Lansford American Legion presented the World War II veteran with his 75-year membership certificate at Maple Shade Assisted Living in Nesquehoning.

He was the Legion’s longest serving member with 76 years of continuous service and was honored as their Person of the Year in 2016. He is also a lifetime member of the American Fire Company No. 1 of Lansford.

Brimmer’s father, George Sr., was a veteran of World War I.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Brimmer family,” the Legion posted on Facebook Sunday. “It was our honor to call you a comrade. We are forever grateful for your service to our nation and community and proud and blessed to call you a friend.”

He enjoyed a surprise 96th birthday party in August, which included Post Commander Nate Krajcirik, Carbon County Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein and state Rep. Doyle Heffley, who presented Brimmer with a State House citation, among others.

Bucky meant many things to many people, something that was easy to see on Sunday with an outpouring of support from friends and family alike.

He was a man who was well-loved and well-respected.

And his was a life well-lived.