Raymond Russell Dombrowski

Raymond R. Dombrowski died peacefully in his sleep March 5, 2022 at the age of 93. The quantity of love, laughter, work, learning, teaching, parenting and loving he experienced throughout his years easily filled his 125-year life goal. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. He was commonly referred to as Pops, Dad, Pappa-son, Father, Honey, Grandpa, and Daddy-Ray.

Ray was born in West Allis, WI to Ann and Joe Dombrowski. His mother was 100% Lithuanian and lived to 102. His father was 100% Polish and passed away in his fifties. Ray reveled in his Catholic upbringing on a farm in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the small town of Carney. He was a “Yooper” to the core.

He was the oldest of five brothers Joseph (deceased), Leonard (deceased), Jerome (deceased), Richard and Dooley and one sister, Lorraine (deceased). He began his education at a one-room schoolhouse and culminated his formal education as an MSU Spartan. He was devoted to God. He loved being an altar boy and going to church every Sunday. He looked to “the Good Lord” for leadership and guidance throughout his life.

Ray worked hard and relished in the opportunity to stay busy. Whether tending crops and animals as a boy on the farm with his brothers, working in Chicago after high school, serving in the Army during the Korean War, estimating structural steel for buildings, cultivating Christmas trees, running his own contracting business or managing his 10-or-so rental properties. Ray was always on the go. When asked well past the traditional retiring age why he didn’t retire he would respond that people retire to do the things they love, thus he’d been retired for years.

Ray loved the big family he was born into and most assuredly the family the Lord blessed him with being joined by “the best wifey he ever had” (his one and only) of nearly 62 years, Lynn Ann Rivard. They raised six children (now with spouses) Brian “Carolina”, Laurie “Kim”, Denise “Richard”, Julie (deceased), Michael “Tracy” and Dale “Diane” (deceased). He loved the family get togethers no matter if they occurred in the U.P. or the lower peninsula, and inspired us to continue them for birthdays, holidays and any reason.

To continue his legacy are his granddaughters Ashley, Isabella and Olivia. Theirs is the opportunity to investigate and promote the Polish (Dziękuję Ci — Thank you) and Lithuanian heritage as Ray loved to celebrate.

Ray approached life with a positive attitude and if asked how he was doing, he’d respond “fine as wine.”

Ray left his family with a rich family history and legacy to carry on for many generations to come and for us to experience life…as “fine as wine.”

Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Tiffany Funeral Home, Lansing with a Rosary prayed at 7:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at St. Gerard Catholic Church, Lansing with Rev. Robert C. Bacik presiding. There will be visiting from 9:30-10:30 am on Thursday at the Church prior to Mass. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Lansing.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Ray's honor.

To leave a cherished memory or words of sympathy for the Dombrowski family please visit www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.