Deacon Edward Tomkowiak, 85, died March 8. He was ordained in 1992 and served at St. Patrick Parish, Wadsworth.

He was born in Wisconsin, where he met and married his wife, Theresa, who died in 2000. The couple was married for 45 years.

Deacon Tomkowiak lived most of his life in Wadsworth in a house he built. He worked for IBM for 30 years and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He was a Wadsworth village trustee for many years and the Wadsworth mayor for two terms. He enjoyed traveling, gardening and was a fervent Green Bay Packers fan, and he was a consummate do-it-yourselfer.

After being ordained in 1992, he performed many marriages and baptisms. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years, he led the St. Patrick youth group for many years and he was director of religious education. He was actively involved with missionary work, traveling to Piura, Peru, annually for 18 years.

Deacon Tomkowiak married his wife, Jane, in 2004. He is survived by Jane and his children Edward, Terry and John Tomkowiak; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Lorraine Michalski; and his brother, Thomas Tomkowiak.