Richard Edwin Brodowski

Richard Edwin Brodowski Richard Edwin Brodowski (72) of Cypress, CA, beloved husband for 51 years to Sally (Langston) Brodowski, father of 10, and grandfather to 29, passed away on December 29, 2009. He was known as Rich to his brothers and sister, Dick to his co-workers, but most commonly as Ski to his wife and close friends. Ski was born April 22, 1937 in Trenton, New Jersey to Arthur and Josephine (Solinski) Brodowski. Ski was the second of 5 children and is survived by brother, Robert Brod owski of Levittown, Pennsylvania, and sister, Mary Lou (Tilton) of Hamilton Township, New Jersey. His passing was preceded by his parents', Arthur and Josephine, and his brothers', Arthur (Sonny) and Ronald. Ski graduated from Trenton High School in Trenton, New Jersey and enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly afterward in 1954. He was a standout soldier, and not just because of his height at 6'7", but for receiving many accolades in the service. While serving in the Offices of the Commandant of the Marine C orps in Washington D.C., he met Sally Langston of McCalla, Alabama who was employed by the Department of the Navy. They were married on October 11, 1958 and were blessed over the years with 9 sons and 1 daughter. After serving in Washington D.C., and Tripoli, Libya, Ski was honorably discharged and returned to civilian life where he enjoyed a career as a newspaperman starting at the Birmingham News in Alabama, followed by the Trenton Times in New Jersey, and then for 30 years at the (Long Beach) Press-Teleg ram from which he retired as an executive in 2002. Ski was passionate about the "Fourth Estate", was a long time member of the NSG (Newspaper Systems Group) and a proud member of the FRED Society with his newspaper buddies at the Press-Telegram.As a long time resident of Cypress (36 years), Ski and Sally enjoyed seeing all 10 of their children, and many of their grandchildren attend local schools and graduate from Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, CA. Many of their children and grandchildren continued o n and graduated from numerous universities including California State University (Fullerton, Long Beach and Northridge), University of California (Irvine), Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah), Chapman University, and Brigham Young University (Hawaii). Ski fulfilled one of his life-long dreams of obtaining a college education and graduated with his B.A. in 2006 from Colombia University at the Los Alamitos Joint Services Training Center.As members of the Garden Grove 7th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Ski and Sally saw their sons attend church missions in various countries of the world and the U.S. including Brazil, England, Ecuador, Tahiti, Colorado, Idaho. They currently have a grandson (Nolan) serving a mission in Missouri. Ski and Sally in turn served a church mission in 2007 working at the Institute of Religion at Long Beach City College.Ski was an avid fisherman, and loved fishing as a boy with his brothers and childhood friends, and with his children, grandchildren, and frien ds in his adult years. He was also a great fan of golf and had many fond memories of playing with his friends and brothers in his younger years. He loved watching his children and grandchildren playing sports, or attending their concerts, and also enjoyed speaking German with several of his grandchildren. At every family gathering, he was likely to quote from Shakespeare or his favorite poet Robert Frost, and the past couple of years had been studiously learning Spanish so that he could practice with his lo ng-time gardeners. Ski presided over many, many family gatherings over the years and it was not uncommon to have upwards of 50 revelers attending family birthdays, BBQ's, and holiday events. He was also Sally's faithful assistant for many years in her catering business bussing tables, or doing whatever was needed. He was much loved by his extensive family and he dearly loved them and will be sorely missed. Ski is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sally; their 10 children and their spouses; and 29 grandchil dren including: Richard and wife Toni and children Richard, Matthew, Lindsey, and Hillary of Westminster, CA; Douglas and wife Teri of Fullerton, CA; Joel and wife Cyndi and children Kevin, Luke, Emily, Casandra of Garden Grove, CA; Bryan and wife Tania and children Nolan, Lauren of Cypress, CA; Kyle and wife Laura and children Dane, Ellis, Kole of Garden Grove, CA; Amy and husband Jeff Morris and children Alyssa, Alexis, Alexander, Allie-Marie of Sacramento, CA; Kristopher and wife Jocelyn and children Eva n, Jackson, Katie of Placentia, CA; Brent and wife Britta and children Meranda, Megan of Buena Park, CA; Jason and wife Lithia and children Cesar, Jason, Jacob, Linea, Lena, Jersie of Corona, CA; Damon and wife Tiffany and son Joseph of Long Beach CA. Funeral services to be held at 10 am on January 9, 2010 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5151 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA. Interment will be at Forest Lawn in Cypress, CA.