RANDALL DONAKOWSKI
Randall Joseph Donakowski, 65, of Alpena, passed away Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, after a courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) for over three years. He was at home surrounded by the love of his family. Randy fought fiercely and without complaint; he was an inspiration to all who fought the battle with him.
Randy was born in Alpena, Michigan to Gerald and Carolyn (Baker) Donakowski. He graduated from Alpena High School in 1975 and was a lifelong resident of Alpena. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 529 and St. Anne Catholic Church of All Saints Parish for many years. For the past several years he has served as Vice President of Grounds of the Michigan Brown Trout Festival. He and his wife, Peggy, worked tirelessly to keep the event going even through the recent pandemic. Randy was a friend to everyone he met and was generous with his time and talent. Always putting others and his community first, he was instrumental in the success of several projects including AHS Prom decorations for several years. You could always call on Randy to help–there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do or wouldn’t tackle.
He was a loving and devoted husband, son, brother, father, papa, uncle, and friend. His sense of humor and ability to always put others before himself made him a one-of-a-kind individual who will be missed by many. Randy, after completing many years of over-the-road trucking and millwright work, began selling and constructing steel buildings and constructing homes. Randy left his mark throughout the community and nation, as well as internationally.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 30 years, Peggy, six children, Kristin (Jeff) Beebe of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Matthew (Ashley) Burg of Bath, Michigan, Alicia (Matthew) Liske of Hubbard Lake, Michigan, Andrew (Cindy) Burg of Saginaw, Michigan, Ciji (Nick) Marckini of Grandville, Michigan, and Preston Donakowski of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 10 grandchildren, Sam, Hattie, Ethan, Ava, Kameryn, Karsen, Cole, Ava, Lucas, and Bella, a sister, Michelle (Kim) Miller of Alpena, a brother, Bryan (Laurie) Donakowski of Hubbard Lake, Michigan, his mother-in-law, Rose Kamyszek, in-laws, Glen (Geri) Kamyszek, Larry (Patty) Kamyszek, Mark (Joann) Kamyszek, Donna (Scott) Rogers, Sonie (Mike) Rousseau, and his furry faithful companion, Loki. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Eugene Kamyszek.
Family will receive friends for memorial visitation at McWilliams Funeral Home on Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. A parish prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. with Deacon Michael Roy officiating. Visitation will continue Friday at St. Anne Catholic Church of All Saints Parish from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral mass at 11 a.m. with Fr. Tyler Bischoff officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to Friends Together of Alpena or Thunder Bay Arts Council Sculpture Project Honoring Randy Donakowski. Condolences can be registered online at mcwilliamsfh.com