Richard Zemek
Richard Allen Zemek, 78, of North Olmsted, Ohio passed away on December 26th,
2023 surrounded by his family.
He was born on August 26th, 1945 in Lakewood, Ohio to the late Charles and Eleanor Zemek (nee Krupka).
Richard attended St. Edward High School in Cleveland, Ohio class of 1963 and was a
Veteran who proudly served as a Staff Sergeant of the United States Air Force, where
he was a Material Management Specialist serving at multiple bases, including overseas
in Vietnam.
He married his beloved wife, Karen on April 19, 1969. Where they settled in North Olmsted and grew their family and made lots of wonderful memories. He is survived by his children Sean Zemek and wife Susan (Searcy), Kim Zemek, Heather Ekechi and husband Chidi, Tiffany Bellomo and husband Vince and Amber Zemek.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Tracy, sisters Phyllis Beyer (Bill) and Louise
Prell (Mike) and Brother Charlie Zemek (Nancy).
Rich treasured spending time with his 11 grandchildren- Kaitlyn Zemek, Mckinley,
Emerson and Griffen Zemek, Cameron, Orianna, Maya, Olivia and Kiara Ekechi, Liliana
Zemek and Ellie Bellomo. He loved being their Bompas and enjoyed every moment he
had with his family. Pool time will never be the same.
Rich will always be remembered for his ability to talk like Donald Duck, enjoying riding
his motorcycle and relaxing by his fire pit. His hobbies included maintaining the many
solar lights in the gardens, attending to his bird feeders, taking care of his waterfalls and
making sure his many “spinning” trinkets worked properly. We’ll always imagine him
singing his classic rock and roll- especially “Free Bird” and cheering on those “dummies”
Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Rich will be missed every day. His memory will live
on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday February 16th at 10:00 AM at St. Brendans Catholic
Church. The family will greet friends beginning at 9:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community West Foundation:
Pediatric Fund (comments section type: “Fairview Hospital Teddy Bear Toy Run Harley
Davidson”) https://give.communitywestfoundation.org
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My mom (Phyllis) was Richard‘s sister. I treasure the memories of Uncle Richard babysitting myself, and my five brothers and sisters. What fun we had playing hide and seek in the basement of our House on Charles Road. I remember when uncle Richard got his first car and took me and one of my brothers for a ride…we were amazed and thrilled at how deftly he could make the car veer to and fro using that spinner knob on the steering wheel! Tossing the baseball back-and-forth with him behind our house on Plumwood Drive, I was amazed at how far he could throw! Uncle Richard was only too happy to engage with kids years younger than him. I looked up to him then…and now that he is with Jesus in heaven, I look up to him now!
Rich was a great person. I have known him since I was a teenager. My heart goes out to Karen and the entire family. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers
I am so grateful to your family! Mr. Zemek’s motorcycle was the first one I was ever on. I loved playing at your house and yard because it was always a welcoming home of love!
Your family has always been very special to us and we are so grateful for the love and care you gave Gramma. She always loved the fact that you were her neighbors and became her second family! Words cannot express.
Thinking of you all now and feeling blessed to have known such a kind man!