Richard Douglas Dworakowski's Obituary
Richard Douglas Dworakowski died peacefully at home at age 90 in San Diego. He will be forever missed. A long-time La Jolla resident, Dick (affectionately known as “Double D”) loved people and always had a story to tell. He was charming, good looking, generous, curious and knew how to work a room. He had a life well lived.
Born to Anthony Casmir and Josephine Monder Dworakowski in Buffalo, NY on May 24,1935 he was the eldest of 4 children. A graduate of Canisius College he earned a degree in English and Philosophy. Dick met his wife of 65 years, Marjorie Marion Hickey shortly before she graduated from State University college for teachers at Buffalo, and they were married soon after. They began their life in Oceanside, California where Dick was serving in the Marine Corps. After serving they moved back to Buffalo and lived there until Dick had the opportunity to take a job in San Diego as a group manager for Connecticut General Insurance company. He worked with them until 1982 when he and Marj started their own insurance agency, Oakwood Insurance.
The couple moved from Buffalo, NY to La Jolla, CA, where they settled and raised four daughters. Always involved in the community, Dick served on a variety of local boards including President & board of directors of the Nice Guys, UCSD medical center board of advisors, San Diego Police Officers association advisory council, San Diego Crime commission Vice President, and Canisius College alumni association regional director San Diego & Presidents council.
He was a long-time member of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and his family celebrated him there for his 90th birthday party in May. Also, special thanks to all his friends at The Spot.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Raymond Dworakowski & Theodore Dworakowski. He is survived by his daughters Susan (Keith) Bullock of Pensacola, FL, Kathe (Steve) Kavich of Pasadena, CA, Carolyn (Flynn) Ortiz of San Diego, CA, and Beth (Andy) Kurtz of San Diego, CA and his sister JoAnn Donovan of Buffalo, NY. Dick had nine beloved grandchildren: Jen (Francois) Spies, Avery Bullock (Jorge Rossello), Ted Kavich, William Kavich (Sarah Kate), Caroline (Glenn) Vallercamp, Lauren (Varun) Marneni, Becca (Mark) Grzeskowiak, Emily (Jimmy) MacIntyre, and David Kurtz, and was the proud Great Grandpa to ten great grandchildren: Abraham Spies, Louis Spies, Magdalena Rossello, Ruth Rossello, Winn Rossello, Carter Grzeskowiak, Riley Grzeskowiak, Isabel MacIntyre & Tommy MacIntyre & Enzo Marneni.
Dick was happiest with his family, and we were his proudest legacy. He had a special and personal relationship with each one of us and will be deeply missed.
A military burial at Miramar National cemetery will be held early next year.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The San Diego Nice Guys.
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