Richard Francis "Dick" Ghelfi

1934 - 2022

Richard Francis "Dick" Ghelfi

LA CROSSE - Richard Francis "Dick" Ghelfi passed away Tuesday, August 2, at his home surrounded by his family. He was the last surviving child of Frank Ghelfi and Margaret Jambois. He was born on August 24, 1934, and grew up in Genoa, WI. Dick was a natural athlete and spent many hours throwing and hitting rocks into the river and playing as much baseball as he could, especially with his older sister Bernie. After moving to La Crosse, he attended Aquinas High School where he played basketball and other sports, but baseball was his best and favorite thing to do. He also had a love of music; he played the trombone and had an excellent singing voice. He sang all his life, mostly to his children and grandchildren, in church, and whenever a family karaoke session broke out.

He graduated from Aquinas in 1952. After high school, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched four years in professional baseball before arm injuries derailed his big-league aspirations. Dick married Nancy Oium of Madison, MN, on January 17, 1959, they were married for 63 years and Nancy was by his side through all good times and bad right up to the end of his life. Dick is probably best known locally for his longtime business, "Dick Ghelfi's Pro Shop." The business started in the basement of his home on 13th St. in La Crosse, before he was able to move to his location at 5th and Division St. After 21 years, he sold the business to two of his sons, which became "Fifth Avenue Awards". He then moved to a new location at 16th and Market St. and shared the building with his good friend, Jim Koelbl. Between Jim's Barber Shop and Dick's Pro Shop, hundreds if not thousands of customers were back time and again for bowling equipment and haircuts, or to just participate in the never ending "bull sessions" full of laughter.

Dick worked until he was 80 years old and would still be there if his health allowed. He was inducted into the La Crosse American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008, the La Crosse River Valley Bowling Hall of Fame in 2009, and finally into the La Crosse Area Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. You can see his stone marker at the entrance to Copeland Park.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; and five siblings: Joseph, Phillip, Bernard, Genevieve (Lorny) Karl, and Bernetta (Gerry) Besl.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his five children: Roxie (Jim) Dotson, Gayle (Sam) Nottleman, Tony (Chris) Ghelfi, Andy Ghelfi and Nick (Paula) Ghelfi; and ten grandchildren: Drew, Mitch and Zach Ghelfi, Daisy (Ryan) Ruberg and Hattie Nottleman, Josh, Joey and Nicole Ghelfi, Ryan (Milena) Grooms and Carrie (Benito) Certa-Reyes. Dick's fun loving and easy-going nature will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Father Rick Roberts will officiate. Entombment will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse on Monday from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and at the church on Tuesday, from 9:30 AM until the time of services. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.