Richard "Dick" Mysliwec

MYSLIWIEC - Richard "Dick" Mysliwiec, lifetime resident of Grand Rapids, "won the feature race"after 82 years, Friday night, November 13, at his home, surrounded by the love and appreciation of his family. He was born on July 8, 1927 and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Veneklase, 61 years ago. He is survived by Ruth and his eight children, Steven (Diana) of Chevy Chase, MD, Robert (Joean) of Niles, MI, Michael (Joan) of Byron Center, MI, Mary Jo (Robert) Robbins of Montague, MI, Paul (Cecilia) and Daniel (Mary) of Grand Rapids, MI, James (Margherite) of Falls Church, VA, and Gerri Anne (Robert) Armstrong of Cheboygan, MI, exchange student Roberval Gonzalez of Brazil, 28 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Patricia (Chuck) Dawson of Grand Rapids, and brother, Jay (Mary) of New Jersey and his sisters-in-law, Rose and Mary Mysliwiec of Grand Rapids, as well as many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine (Jablonski) and William, and older siblings, Sophia, Chet and Chuck Mysliwiec. Dick made the world a better place as a young butcher in his fathers meat market on Michigan Ave NE. He served proudly in the Marine Corps during WWII. He worked as a financial planner for IDS/Ameriprise. He was also the promoter of Berlin Raceway, which he ran with brothers Chet and Chuck for 50 years. He loved University of Notre Dame football. He was quarterback for Grand Rapids Catholic Central when they won all state in 1943. He continued his love for football at the University of Portland. He returned to Grand Rapids and played semi pro football. Education was of vital importance to Richard. A college education was a gift he gave each of his children. His charisma, his jokes, and his one-of-a-kind personality will be missed by those who knew him. Visitation will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 2510 Richmond St., NW, on Sunday, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday, 5 to 8 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christan Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 17 at 11 a.m., Reverend Richard Host, Celebrant. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Project Esperanca, a hospital ship that travels the Amazon River basin providing medical care to the indigent people. Richard helped fund the project in the 1970's. Esperanca, Inc., 1911 W Earil Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85015. www.esperanca.org Ofield Funeral Home