Richard (Dick) was the beloved husband to Patricia (Joan) for 62 years; the loving father to Mark (Janell) Gajeski of South Carolina, Gary (Trish) Gajeski of North Carolina, and daughter Theresa (Teri) Koczara of Arizona; and the grandfather of nine cherished grandkids: Erin (Mike) Brown, Emily (Brad) Fitzsimmons, Mackenzie Gajeski, Jacob, Danielle and Andrew Gajeski and Christopher, Zachary and Abbigail Koczara. He also had seven great grandchildren: Megan, Mikayla, Madison, Harper, Conner, Juliana and Jaxson. He has a dear brother Jerome (Eileen) Gajeski along with his niece Susan (Brian) Kmieck, their daughter Kaelyn, and nephew, the late Philip Gajeski.
Dick was born and raised in Hamtramck, Michigan by his father Arthur and mother Clara. He attended St. Anthony’s high school and afterwards was accepted into the Detroit Police Academy, but before entering was drafted into the Army. He finished a few years abroad and eventually returned to start his career as a police officer. He spent his whole career in Detroit where he retired as a Detective Sergeant.
Richard was a devout Catholic, an avid gardener and in his free time enjoyed being creative in his workshop woodworking and tole painting. In his younger years he was active in coaching baseball and loved playing and watching hockey.
God blessed Richard with a long life and in many ways through his family, career, and friends. He will be remembered and missed by all of us.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Therese of Lisieux Church, 48115 Schoenherr Rd, Shelby Twp, Michigan 48315 on Friday, July 25, 2025. The Gajeski family will greet guests at 11:30am for a short viewing, followed by a mass at 12:00pm.
