Richard Thomas Domask

Richard T. Domask was a man of great faith, who was continually guided by his strong Christian values. Beyond this distinction, however, he was a man of great compassion and honesty. Friends and strangers alike always knew they could count on Richard’s generous, loving spirit when they needed it most. With faith as his guide, he accomplished much in life, and loved abundantly.

Times were hard in the United States in 1930, as unemployment rates were high, and spirits were low as many American families tried to stretch their dollars in order to survive the Great Depression. Despite the challenges of the era, Ralph W. Domask, Sr. and his wife, Helen (Priess), of Milwaukee, Wisconsin had something wonderful to focus with the birth of their son, Richard, on March 27, 1930. Richard was the youngest of five children in his family with three brothers, Ralph, Robert and Roger, and one sister, Caroline. Tragically, Richard lost his mother when he was 4 from pneumonia, leaving his father to raise 5 children and run a farm. In time, his father remarried, but his stepmother died from tuberculosis when Richard was 12. Although faced with terrible tragedies so young in life, Richard kept a happy, optimistic spirit, which he often attributed to the special love and attention he received from “a little grandma.”

Growing up on a farm meant there was always work to be done. Richard and his brothers worked along side their father, helping to get the daily chores complete. Once done, his father let the boys have some fun, which often meant heading down to the grove for a swim on a hot summer day. Later on, his father bought a food store, and Richard worked here as well, and every Sunday he was behind the meat counter cutting ham for their traditional customers. Richard also found time to work at the A&P Grocery Store in West Allis, when he wasn’t in school at West Allis Central High, where he graduated in 1948. By this time, Richard was interested in boxing and fishing, and still loved to swim at Whitnall Park.

In 1950, at the age of 20, Richard followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He proudly served until 1952, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. After some time, Richard met a young lady named Mary, and after falling in love, they were married in 1957. The two shared 21 years together before their marriage ended in divorce.

Richard was a hard worker from his earliest moments, and never shied away from work. He was a carpenter by trade, and a member of the Carpenters Union. He worked for Town Realty and Joe Zilber Homes for a while before taking a carpenter position with the City of Milwaukee in 1983. Aside from starting a new job, Richard also met a wonderful, God fearing woman named Betty Krachtt, who attended a worship service at Bay View Assembly of God Church where he also attended. He couldn’t help but be captivated by her zealous worshipping of the Lord and he made it a point to introduce himself after service. Soon after, Richard and Betty attended a Bible Study together and with that, their love story had begun. They were happily married on May 21, 1983, at the Bay View Assembly of God Church, where they first met. Betty brought more than just her love into Richard’s life. She had two sons, Steven and Daniel, from a previous marriage, and they came together as a family. Richard and Steven both enjoyed doing woodworking, which fostered a close bond between them. Steven even nicknamed Richard “Master Sergeant.”

In 1989, Richard retired from his work with the City due to a bi-polar condition. He then put his time and energy into what he did best – caring for others. He used his carpenter skills helping at the church and for others, and of course, at home for Betty. Incredibly meticulous, Richard always did the best job he could with whatever task was at hand. Soon after marrying, Richard and Betty were asked to open their hearts and home to a foster child, which they did so willingly and lovingly. From 1984 to 2001, they nurtured and loved 55 different foster children. Richard was typically the easygoing one that the kids gravitated to, while Betty had to be the disciplinarian.

In 2010, Richard started having issues with the degenerative discs in his back. This condition may have slowed him down physically, but Richard never wavered in caring and helping others in any way he could. Then, in the beginning of January 2013, Richard was having severe chest pains and was admitted to Clement Zablocki Veteran Administration Medical Center, where he passed away in his sleep and went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.

Sharing the word of God . . . helping others . . . this is how Richard will be remembered.

Richard T. Domask died on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Age 82 years. Beloved husband of Betty A. (nee Tagliapietra). Cherished father of Steven Krachtt and Daniel (Susan) Krachtt. Loving grandfather of Steven, Michael, Andrew and Mackenzie. Great-grandfather of Anthony. Dear brother of Roger (Eunice) Domask. Further survived by other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 17, at the Suminski LifeStory Funeral Home from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Friday, January 18, at the Blessed Hope Assembly of God Church, 1501 W. Lincoln Avenue from 9:00 a.m. until time of the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove, WI. Suminski LifeStory Funeral Homes, Niemann / Suminski, 2486 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue; (414) 744-5156, www.SuminskiFuneralHome.com.