Richard Emery Tarchinski

Richard Emery Tarchinski, 95, passed into the comforting arms of the angels on August 2, 2025. He was born to Peter and Josephine (Miller) Tarchinski on December 20, 1929, in Grand Rapids, MI. Richard’s older siblings included Roman, Frances, Ruth, Robert, Milo, all of whom predeceased him. Growing up on the West Side he developed a love of the streets, parks and the Grand River that stayed with him all his life. Richard married the love of his life, Mary Alice Sedlecky on August 5, 1950. It is not surprising to his family that his death comes just a few months after Mary’s. His spirit and heart were broken when she passed in April, just a few months shy of their 75th wedding anniversary. They had nine children together and made their home in Wyoming, Walker and later Allendale. Their children include Rick (Pamm) Tarchinski, of Harbor Springs; Diane (Jim) Hora, of Cadillac; Mary Tarchinski, of Midland; Linda (Brian Carpenter) Leroux; Ann (Jim) Rusky, of Grand Rapids; Cyndi (Chris) Lieske, of Rockford and Keith (Janene) Tarchinski of Holland. Two sons, Daniel and William predeceased Richard. His cherished family members include 23, grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Richard’s departure is felt deeply, in that not only are we deprived of his loving presence, but his loss severs a connection to our family history lineage and treasured memories of family, as he is the last living member of his family of origin, as was his wife, Mary. Richard’s Catholic faith was a key piece of his identity. He attended St. James School, was a 1949 graduate of Catholic Central, where he excelled in basketball, track and field and tennis. He most recently attended St Luke University parish in Allendale, MI. He and Mary were living examples of their trust in God, to their children and grandchildren. He worked for more than 40 years at the Fisher Body Plant 1 in Grand Rapids. He started there in 1952 and joined his two older brothers who were already working there. He entered a 4-year Tool & Die Apprenticeship Program. He then worked full time, attended classes at Davenport in the evenings and completed the program in 3 years. His career provided for his growing family. He was a UAW Committee Man, who was very proud of his negotiation skills and devoted to his fellow workers. He built a cottage on Wolf Lake near Baldwin and created many happy memories for his family there. His children and grandchildren treasure the days spent at the A-frame cottage and later a lakefront cottage. He loved snowmobiling, hunting, bowling, swimming and sitting by the campfire with his family. He was especially proud of Tar’s Beagles, the kennel he started in the 1960s. He had award-winning, world champion AKC beagles and his older children tagged along to field trials with him. His dogs were highly sought after and shipped to sportsmen around the country. Richard’s retirement days were spent with Mary at their winter home in Tampa, Florida. They made many friends at the Gateway Mobile Home Park and he served as the park president for several years. It was here that he discovered his love of Shuffleboard. He was a master teacher of the game and competed with a partner in the Michigan Senior Olympics. This love of the game encouraged Richard to advocate for a new court being installed at the Allendale Township Park in the 1990s. In later years, he and Mary lived at Villa Maria, in Grand Rapids; American House, in Wyoming; and most recently Green Acres of Greenville. No matter where they lived, Richard and Mary became favorites for their kindness and sense of humor. They always found and made friends wherever they were. Not surprisingly, they nurtured the friendships with caregivers they made in their later years. We are especially grateful to the kind and dedicated people at Gentiva Hospice and Green Acres of Greenville, and all those along the way who made Richard’s final days comfortable and meaningful. Richard was known in the community for his love of Notre Dame. He sported many t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats with the emblem of the University he loved. We are grateful for all the gifts he shared with us. By example, he showed us the importance of a strong work ethic, how to care for those you love and for taking of your resources. He took care and pride in everything he did whether it was his work, his faith, his family, his care for his tools and his cars. He was innovative. He had a great love of plants, animals and nature. We’re going to miss him dearly. After a lifetime of care and service to others, may flights of angels sing him to his rest. Rest easy, Dad, Mom’s there waiting for you. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday August 6, 2025 at 10:30 am at St. Luke’s Church , Allendale where his family will receive visitors one hour prior to the Mass.

Tributes

Richard Emery Tarchinski

December 20, 1929 - August 2, 2025