Donald Dombrowski

Don Dombrowski with a work ethic learned from his family and the hard work of his hard hands, left his mark on this world in the classic American style. The year was 1959 and the United States was coming out of one of the most productive decades of it's short history. At only 150 million population the entire country was bustling with busy factories. Manufacturing, homes and the population were all on a upward trend. In Saginaw, Michigan on May 31, 1959, John and Margaret (Wereschky) Dombrowski were welcoming a new son Donald to their family along with his twin brother Ron. The Dombrowski's were doing their part to grow the population too, Don and Ron were born in the middle of a family of 15, which eventually included, Diane, Bob, Shirley, Mike, Ann, Joe, Richard, Odette, Jim, twins Don and Ron, then Janet, Terry, Sue and finally Patty. Don was raised Catholic and attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Saginaw. He experienced the love, trials and rewards of a large family. Don saw first hand the importance of hard work and discipline. His father built the family home from scratch and the whole family learned the importance of pitching in with the many house hold chores, and using their hands to advance the family well being. Don and his brother Ron were close and shared many life experiences including a 90 customer paper route and working at the ski lodge in Freeland, working the tow ropes. They would enjoy many days together hunting and fishing and helping maintain their aunt and uncle's yard in the neighborhood. Like many twins they didn't just share the same genes, but also that twin sixth sense. When Don had his appendix taken out, Ron suffered with sympathetic pain. The big family meant hand me down clothes, and shared bikes. While there was always enough clothing to go around the bike sharing was first come first serve and caused some sibling battles. Don would go on to work at Al's Fruit Market in Saginaw and then join the Army reserves at age 17 eventually being discharged with the rank of Sgt. He also married at age 17, probably to young, but his marriage would bring him two sons, Marc and Jason before the two would go their separate ways. Several years later Don met Maria Lopez and son Rocky was born. Don has always loved him and held him close to his heart, his third and final child. True to his nature of helping others, learned at home among his big family, Don stopped to assist a stranded motorist on US 31 at West Olive, sadly he was hit by a car from behind traveling at 60 mph. His recovery would span 19 months, 2 surgeries and multiple hospital stays. Don took his work ethic to the Sherwin-Williams Aerosol Plant in Holland where he worked for 21 years as a Crimper, Pressure Gasser. Eventually Health problems made him unable to continue working. Too early in his life Don died Saturday March 8, 2008 succumbing to his health problems after a courageous struggle. Mr. Donald M. Dombrowski, age 48, died Saturday, March 8, 2008. He was born in Saginaw, MI on May 31, 1959 to John & Margaret (Werschky) Dombrowski. Mr. Dombrowski had served his country in the U. S. Army Reserves. He had been employed as a crimper / pressure gasser at Sherwin-Williams Aerosol Plant for 21 years. His family includes 3 sons, Marc (Jen) Dombrowski of West Olive, Jason Dombrowski of Grand Haven, Raul "Rocky" Lopez of Paw Paw; 5 grandchildren, Marcus, Peanut, Destiny, Shelby, Jasmine; 7 sisters, Diane (Jack) Nurnberg of Freeland, Shirley Lesniak of FL, Ann (Lonny) Jago of FL, Odette (John) Rabideau of Saginaw, Janet Dombrowski of TN, Sue Dombrowski of FL, Patty Dombrowski of FL; 7 brothers, Bob (Cathy) of Saginaw, Mike (Annette) of Onaway, MI, Joe (Chris) of FL, Richard, Jim, both of Saginaw, Twin brother, Ron (Debra) of FL, Terry of FL; several nieces & nephews. Services will be Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 3:00 PM at the Clock Chapel-Grand Haven with Fr. Norm Droski officiating. Military rites will be performed under the auspices of Holland VFW. Interment at Lakeshore Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday, 2-9 PM and Wednesday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Clock Life Story- Grand Haven