Richard Carl Tomanek

Richard Carl Tomanek, 92, of Avon Lake, passed away Friday, August 11, 2023 at Ames Family Hospice House in Westlake, knowing that he was loved and cared for by his family until the very end. Richard was born January 6, 1931 in Avon Lake. He married his sweetheart, Maureen Jane O'Brien in October of 1955. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage until Maureen passed away in October of 2014. Richard graduated from Avon Lake High School in 1950 and joined the Cleveland Indians Baseball organization in Pittsfield, Massachusetts as a pitcher. In January 1951 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, reporting to Parris Island, South Carolina and proudly served until June 1952. He rejoined the Cleveland Indians and made his Major League Baseball debut in September 1952 at Cleveland Indians Municipal Stadium against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched his final game on September 26, 1959 for the Kansas City Athletics. A dream fulfilled! Richard retired from BF Goodrich in Avon Lake in 1992 after a 28-year career and commenced a life of travel, boating and fishing with his beloved wife, Maureen, golfing with friends as often as possible, reading, listening to music and being with family. He loved puttering around the house and yard, assuring everything was in meticulous order. Dad had a spirited curiosity about the world around him and was always ready to have a conversation. Richard was an avid sports enthusiast, closely following Avon Lake High School teams, Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers and Browns, and his favorite Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed his memberships and friendships through the American Legion Post 211 (Avon Lake) and AMVETS (Sheffield Lake). Richard had a way with dogs and loved all of them, including Obie, Kelly, Brandy, Katie, Chloe and Brady; along with all of his grand-dogs. Richard is survived by his four children, Maureen (Marty) Hornyak, Rex (Donna) Tomanek, Richard (Nicole) Tomanek and Mary (the late, Wayne) Kuehner; six beloved grandchildren, Christopher (Kameron) Tomanek, Sarah Tomanek (Meg Nicholson), Madalyn and Meredith Kuehner and Cole and Kyle Tomanek; and two precious great-grandchildren, Vaughn Rex and Violet Kay Tomanek. He is also survived by his sisters, Donna (Woodie) DeChant and Sally (the late, Paul) Beck; sisters-in-law, Penny and Becky Tomanek; as well as Maureen's sister, Kathleen Scott; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maureen; his parents, William and Elizabeth (Aslaksen); siblings, Doris (John) Schuster, William (Margaret), Theodore and Robert; Maureen's parents, Jack W. and Evelyn G. O'Brien; and brother-in-law, Milton B. Scott. Family will receive friends Monday, August 28, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. until the memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 32747 Lake Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012. Burial will be in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Seville. Should you wish, memorial contributions may be forwarded to Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church at 32747 Lake Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012. www.buschcares.com, 440-933-3202