Edward Gmachowski
Edward J. Gmachowski Jr.
Edward J. Gmachowski Jr., 76, of Apollo Beach, Fla., formerly of Bellingham, Mass., died peacefully on May 8, 2016.
Born in East Douglas, Mass., on May 14, 1939, he was the son of Edward J. Gmachowski Sr. and Marie (Cusson) Gmachowski. He lived in Medway, Mass., through his childhood and then settled in Bellingham for 29 years to raise his family. He retired to Apollo Beach in 1997.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Susan (Wendling) Gmachowski; daughters Beth Leporati of Blackstone, Mass., and Kim Bishop of Ruskin; and grandchildren Senior Airman Sean Gmachowski, USAF, of Albuquerque, Nickolas Leporati of Blackstone, Mass., Brittny Bishop of Ruskin and Navy Seaman Rianne Bishop of Burnsville, N.C.
Ed was a graduate of Medway High school and enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 1962. He was very proud of his service as a Speed Radio Operator and Expert Rifleman and served in the Korean War. After his service in the Army, he was employed at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Framingham, Mass., until his retirement. He was also a Realtor and owned Abodes Realty in Medway.
Ed was an avid fisherman and boater. He and his family spent many summers fishing off the beaches on Cape Cod. He also loved to shoot pool and played on leagues with the American Poolplayers Association.
There are no calling hours and a military ceremony will be held at a later date at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Framingham Heart Study, in which Ed participated, at www.framinghamheartstudy.org or mail to: Boston University School of Medicine, Office of Development, Framingham Heart Study Research Fund, 72 East Concord St., L-219, Boston, MA 02118.
Richard Herman
Richard P. Herman
1921 – 2016
Richard “Dick” Patchett Herman, of Kings Point, died Monday, May 16. He was born in Kankakee, Ill., on July 10, 1921, the only son of Rue and Gilmore Herman. Following completion of high school at Hyde Park High, he attended Philips Exeter Academy.
He joined the Navy and served in World War II in the South Pacific. After the war, he attended Yale University on the GI Bill and completed his bachelor of science degree; he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
He initially considered a career in medicine, but opted to pursue a career in business; ultimately he obtained his MBA at the University of Chicago School of Business. He subsequently enjoyed a gratifying and highly successful career as an executive in the railroad shipping industry, retiring in 1986 as President of W.H. Miner Enterprises in Geneva, Ill.
In retirement, Dick initially settled in the Greenville, S.C., area, before moving to Sun City Center in 1991. He was a lifelong avid golfer and world traveler as well as an engaged and committed volunteer. He was a keen collector of Japanese netsukes and donated his collection to Yale’s Peabody Museum. His favorite form of entertainment was spending time with friends or family, sharing conversation over a good meal and a bottle of wine.
Many Sun City Center residents and their families first encountered Dick in his capacity as a 20-year volunteer in the Emergency Room of South Bay Hospital and during his 15 years with LifePath Hospice. His sense of caring, compassion and sense of humor were a comfort to many who encountered him in difficult and stressful situations. Additionally, he enjoyed his sessions reading to children in Ruskin schools.
He was preceded in death by his only sister, Doris Pankow of Pasadena, Calif. He is survived by daughter Carla J. Herman, MD, of Albuquerque; his nephews Charles Pankow, Steve Pankow and Rick Pankow; and his niece Betsy Rue Tegatz and their families. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful neighbors on Lenham Court, who shared great friendship and support for him.
Per his wishes, Dick was cremated, with his ashes interred in St. Charles, Ill., next to the “love of his life” and wife Shirley “Sam” Herman, who predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to LifePath Hospice of Sun City Center.
