Richard L. "Rick" McSawby, Died September 20, 2018

Richard “Rick” L. McSawby

Died September 20, 2018

PESHAWBESTOWN – Richard “Rick” McSawby, 55, of Suttons Bay, passed away Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 at Munson Hospice House.

Rick was born February 26, 1963, in Grand Rapids, the son of Homer Anthony McSawby and Judith Roseann (Bailey) McSawby.

Rick was a 1981 graduate of Suttons Bay High School where he excelled in sports and making friends.  He would attend his sisters’ high school games back in the day and continued to follow his sisters’ softball games in their adulthood.  Rick was also a sports dad and uncle and loved taking photos of his sons, nieces, nephews and friends sporting events.  His love and support of sports continued throughout his life.  He even played as recently as last year with the Grand Traverse Band Elders Softball team.

Rick worked over 35 years with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians across all GTB entities of Government, Gaming and the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.  Rick completed the police academy after high school and became a Conservation Officer for GTB for many years.  During that time, he also worked nights as a security officer for Leelanau Sands Casino.  Eventually, he transferred to GTB Law Enforcement and became Captain of the Tribal Police Department.  He started the first mounted police patrol while riding “Sundance” in 1995 for Peshawbestown to improve community relations.  Rick also made time to work with the GTB Fire Department as an MFR and Fire Fighter I with his sister Suzanne and many other members.  Rick’s work history continued for GTB as the asset protection manager at the Leelanau Sands Casino and Turtle Creek Casino for many years.  Finally, working as the 3^rd Shift Supervisor for Housekeeping at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa for the last nine years.  He also served as a Gaming Commissioner for the past several years.

Rick loved to cook and grill, always making more than enough for everyone and always was the designated cook at the family gatherings.  He loved his music, the louder the better, from classic rock, blues, to country.  He even warmed up to his sons’ hip-hop music.  Rick was an avid photographer and would always have his camera to capture those moments he never wanted to forget. 

Rick loved to travel.  Starting from his early years as an altar boy with Fr. Jim Gardner, visiting Peru and rafting the Colorado river.  His later years were spent with friends traveling to Ireland, across the USA and to Texas to see his family.  Rick and his family built many treasured memories with trips to Walt Disney World, Niagara Falls and cruises to Alaska, Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean. 

Rick was a member of the Kateri Tekakwitha Church, where he continued his faith with the catholic church.

Rick was very outgoing, gregarious and had a big heart.  He could strike up a conversation with anyone and by the end of it he would have a new friend.  He loved being with his sons, sisters, relatives and friends, living life to its fullest.  He was also a proud Godfather to his nephew and nieces.

Rick is survived by his two sons, Brandon and Justin McSawby; his sisters, Jolanda (Jim) Murphy, Sharon McSawby, Debbie McSawby, Suzanne (Whitey) McSawby, Brenda McSawby; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Judith McSawby.

Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to the 7 p.m. vigil service on Monday, Sept. 24 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Church of Peshawbestown.  Burial in Kateri Tekakwitha Cemetery will follow the service.  Father James Gardner will serve as celebrant.

Flowers are always welcome or a donation can be made to the Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office designated for Peshawbestown and Barlow meetings.  Rick’s family asks that you spend time with your family, visit your friends, be kind to a stranger and help someone in need, and along the way, take plenty of pictures to treasure all the memories.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.

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