Matthew R. 'Dick' Torma

DULUTH, Minn. - Matthew R. "Dick" Torma, 75, of Sunset Road, Ironwood Township, Mich., died Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, with his family by his side.

Dick was born Jan. 30, 1939, in Ironwood Township, son of the late Matthew and Wilma (Bay) Torma, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1957. He then served stateside in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962.

On March 4, 1961, he was married to the former Mary Ann Cedarstrom at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, Mich., by the late Rev. Oliver Halberg.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Dick returned to Ironwood, where he completed an apprenticeship and became a union pipefitter with U.P. Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 806, retiring in 1998.

An avid Lake Superior fisherman, Dick loved fishing out of Saxon Harbor on his boat the "Moby Dick" with his constant companion and first mate, his wife of 52 years, Mary Ann. He also enjoyed chartering with his close buddy, Charlie Maslanka, of Saxon, Wis. He was a member of the Saxon Harbor Boating Club and Ironwood American Legion Post 5.

Dick was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and maintained a close relationship with all members of his family. "Papa Dick" had a very special loving relationship with his granddaughter, Kayla, and was interested in every detail of her life. He will be dearly missed by all.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Ann; two sons, Clark (Jodi), Norway, Mich., and Richard (Greg Brunello), Golden Valley, Minn .; a granddaughter, Kayla Torma (Chad), Marquette, Mich .; a sister, Gretajean (Bernard) DeRubeis, Palm Desert, Calif., and Barnes, Wis .; and special little friend, his dog, Windsor.

Besides his parents, Dick was predeceased by a granddaughter, Carly Jo Torma, on Oct. 11, 1992; and sister, Marijane Tomich.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Private family services were held.

Condolences may be offered to Dick's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.