James “Jim” Alfred Brusoe, 90, De Pere and St. Pete Beach, FL, passed away Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Jim was born November 2, 1935, in Appleton to the late Francis Alfred Brusoe and Mary Elizabeth Vaughan.

He graduated from Gladstone High School in 1954. Jim went on to earn a BSE from Northern Michigan University in 1958 and his Masters in 1963.

Jim started his career teaching U.S. History in Gwinn, MI, and Two Rivers, before his long career at Southwest High School in Green Bay, where he was affectionately known as “Whistling Jim.” He retired in 1992 as head of the History Department and with multiple “Teacher of the Year” awards.

After retirement, Jim and his wife Patricia enjoyed being snowbirds, splitting their time between De Pere and St. Pete Beach, FL for 30 plus years.

Jim volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul in Green Bay and Tampa FL, and Christian Ministries, De Pere. As an avid reader, he especially enjoyed novels about WW2, railroads, and politics often while sitting in his garage in De Pere.

A warm, loving, humorous guy, Jim, enjoyed a comfortable T-shirt with a flannel. He enjoyed nature, putzing around the yard, and the sunsets in St. Pete Beach. An expert whistler, NYT crossword puzzle player (in ink), storyteller, popcorn popper, and chicken leg griller, Jim found great joy being with and watching his grand and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years Patricia (Farrell) Brusoe. Their children; Cindy Brusoe, Brent Brusoe (Fiancé Mary), and Jamie (Jackie) Brusoe. Grandchildren; Elisabeth (Micah) Coates, Miranda (Evan) Petska, Alex (special friend Emily) Brusoe, Kate (Kass) Brusoe, Gwen (special friend Logan) Brusoe, and Lusile Brusoe. Great grandchildren; Charlotte and Theo Coates, Graham and Reid Petska, and his pet Sophie.

Jim is further survived by his sister Beatrice (Karl) Rudolph, brother Leizime (Sue) Brusoe, sister-in-law Joan Brusoe, as well as other in-laws, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son Gregory, his parents, and brother John Brusoe.

Friends may call at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 1305 Lourdes Ave. De Pere on Friday, October 16, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Fr. James Baraniak O.Praem. officiating.

Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere is assisting the family.