Richard Lee Dabrowski

Richard Lee Dabrowski, 66, of West Haven, CT passed away on February 22, 2024 at Smilow Cancer Hospital surrounded by his wife and children.

While his death is tragic, his life was not. Among other things, Rick was a father, a friend, a husband, a foreman, a coach, a coworker, and a grandfather.

Rick was a man of few words, but many ideas. He was sentimental and thoughtful, fiercely loyal and tirelessly hardworking. He was chronically early and endlessly dependable.

Rick joined IBEW Local 488 in March 1980 and was a dedicated and proud union electrician for over 40 years. A union man through and through, he was initially elected to the union executive board in 1998 and later served as President from 2009 until his retirement in 2022.

He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and old cars, watching the NY Giants and feeding crackers to squirrels out of his hand. Rick was able to fulfill one of his dreams when he opened Evolution Cycle Motorcycle Shop in Milford in the 1990’s. He was always willing to lend a hand to friends and strangers alike. Rick was happy to get down on the floor to build blocks with his grandkids, step in to coach a softball game, tackle a home improvement project, or just putter around in his garage. He had the ability to positively change the lives of those around him without even knowing it. 

Rick had only recently retired and was hoping to visit all 169 cities and towns in Connecticut to enjoy a meal. 

He was predeceased by his father Clarence “Bud” Dabrowski and his father-in-law George Altieri. Rick will be missed in immeasurable ways by his wife Kim Pierelli-Dabrowski, his mother Patricia, his mother-in-law Helen Altieri, his three children Sarah (Kenny) Boylan, Jill (Nicole), and Eric (Jeanne), his three sisters Teri Guastella, Kym Dabrowski-Haury, and Michele (Marty) Hummel, his sister-in-law Traci (Brian) Shane, as well as his two step-children Nick (Kayla) Pierelli and Alex (Joe) Siciliano. Rick was beyond proud of his nine (soon to be 10) grandchildren - Alyssa, Jenna, Spencer, Patrick, Coen, Harper, Simon, Brady, and Paisley – and they will all miss his humor, his playfulness, and his quiet ways. He will also be remembered by his extended family and the friends he shared memories with for many decades.

We will see you when we get there…

Thank you to all of the caring and talented nurses and doctors at Smilow. We would like to specifically acknowledge Dr. Kelsey Martin and Dr. Gena Foster for their kindness, compassion, and dedication.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to any animal rescue including the ASPCA, Social Tees Animal Rescue, or Best Friends Animal Society. 

Donate blood. Donate platelets. Become a stem cell donor.

A memorial celebration of life will be held on Saturday March 2 at the IBEW Local 488 Union Hall 721 Main Street Monroe, CT 06468 from 3pm to 6pm.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Lee Dabrowski, please visit our floral store.