Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Richard W. Dembowski Sr., 69, a long-time resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, May 27, 2017.
Rick was born on Feb. 20, 1948, in Milwaukee, a son of Bronislaus and Eleanore (Karolewicz) Dembowski. He attended school in Milwaukee and graduated from Pulaski High School in 1966.
Rick proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged as a specialist 4th grade on March 1, 1970. Rick took great pride serving in the Army National Guard of Michigan for three years.
He worked at White Pine Copper Company until its closure. Rick then enrolled in the corrections program at Gogebic Community College and worked as a corrections officer at the Marquette Branch Prison and retired from the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco.
Rick was a member of the Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11, and held the position of service officer. He was a life member of the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084.
Rick was an avid hunter and fisherman, absolutely loved going to camp, spent many happy hours riding his four-wheeler and enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers.
Rick is survived by a daughter, Lisa (Scott) Brown, Hurley, Wis .; a son, Nathan (Meghan) Dembowski, Antigo, Wis .; a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Tollstam; two grandsons, Tyler Brown and Bryce Dembowski; numerous nieces and nephews; his special caregivers, Gail Thompson and her son, Billy; his good buddy, George (Bobbi) Amore; and a host of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents; a son, Richard Jr., on March 21, 2014; and his brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Betty Dembowski.
Cremation has taken place.
A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, June 11, beginning at noon, at the Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11, 605 River St., in Wakefield. Lunch will be served at noon, military honors will be accorded at 1 p.m., and music will follow with the band, Madd Trappers.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.
