Obituary of Richard Kaneski

Richard(Rick)fulfilled his life of quiet peace, love and faith by joining his Heavenly Father on October 18, 2021.

Rick spent his youth growing up in Pike Lake where he fell in love with the outdoors and especially anything related to science and the world of Astronomy.

It was during this time that his faith in God took hold and helped mold him into a quiet yet inspiring man who lived out a life of caring for others and making  all who knew him feel important. Rick attended Pike Lake Elementary and later graduated from LaCrosse Seminary High School. Rick realized that he could be a  minister of God’s love no matter what he did.

Rick was not a showy person, but people were drawn to him and his quiet demeanor. It was often noted that when he said something, people really stopped and listened.

This was not to say that he didn’t have a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. Rick became a police officer for the City of Duluth and served in that capacity  for over 20 years. He held different roles including becoming a Sargent, DARE teacher and Bike Patrol officer. After attending UMD, he went on to get his associated  degree in Police Management and many other certifications. During his career as a police officer he made the choice over and over again to stay on the street and  serve there.

It was during his early years on the force that he met the love of his life, Denise and they married in 1983. They focused their lives on trying to love and be there  for those who came into their lives. He enjoyed most his time with his immediate family and doing anything with them was just the best. A love of travel and exploration  gave him great joy especially when sharing these adventures with others who decided to journey with them. Their love was increased a 100 fold when their son Christian  joined the family. Father and son were always together whether working on a project at home, sharing adventures from kayaking, hiking, fishing, biking, snow shoeing,  traveling, amusement parks, haunted houses, reading, zip lining or just watching the latest Marvel film.

After retiring from the Duluth Police Department he became an Accident Investigation Specialist, served as Court Security for St. Louis County Sheriff’s Dept, taught  Radar and Accident Investigation for years for the MN State Colleges in Ely, Hibbing and Brainerd. He worked as an Operations Specialist with H&R Block for 15 years and  spent the past 5 summers as an Invasive Species Inspector for Canosia Township. He held many volunteer roles throughout his lifetime including mentoring the Lion’s Den  Robotic Team. He was a member of many outdoor and Astronomy related organizations.

Rick was preceeded in death by his parents: Leo and Dorothy(Jazdzewski)Kaneski and Lucille and Rudolph Somin. His sister Donna Tusken and many other friends and family  members.

Rick leaves behind his wife, Denise and son, Christian. Sisters Kathleen Osborn, Jani LeMier(Royal) and Mary Parrott(Roger). Twenty nieces and nephews and an abundance of  great neices and nephews, cousins and friends who he loved and cherished as a part of his life  Rick died as gently as he lived and his family greatly appreciates the love and support they have received.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 30th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Duluth Hts. at 151 W Linden Street. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00am followed  by a funeral service. Masks are requested but not required.