George Michael Baribeau

George Baribeau, the man, the myth, the legend. His journey on Earth started in Cornell, Wisconsin with a long stop in Denver, Colorado and ended in Mesa, Arizona. He passed away the evening of Friday, May 4, 2018, surrounded by his loved ones. Although small in stature at his passing, he was truly the strongest man we have ever known. He showed his children what a real man and gentle man was. George was, first and foremost, an amazing family man. He was a great father to 3 children, Tom, Mary, and Bo, and he was a wonderful husband of 40 years to Karen. He is called “Pop Pop” by his 5 grandchildren that he loved spending time reading, snuggling, and laughing with.

George was kind to everyone he met. He never complained a day in his life or said something mean about another person, unless you were talking politics with him. His love of history and adventure took him and his family around the world on numerous excursions. He was proud to support his family with a job he enjoyed for 35 years. George was with us for 11 years longer than expected because of his older brother’s kind act of selflessness. Tom donated one of his kidneys to George in 2007.

George will be laid to rest this Saturday, May 12, 2018. A viewing will be from 8:30 to 9:30am at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201. His burial will then follow at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1562 East Baseline Road, Mesa, Arizona 85204, at 10:00am. There will also be a celebration of George’s life later this summer at a time to be determined by the family.

Donations can be made to the PKD Foundation at: https://pkdcure.org/