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Alcuin C. "Al" Dornisch | 91
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Alcuin C. “Al” Dornisch, 91, of Ridgway, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Penn Highlands Elk.
Al was born October 27, 1931 in St. Marys, son of the late Alcuin “Doc” and Charlotte Myers Dornisch. A graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1951, Al continued his education, earning a degree in English from Gannon College in 1958.
On August 6, 1955, Alcuin married his beautiful bride, Carol Klatman, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and together they shared 67 years of marriage.
Along with his wife, Al is survived by five daughters: Susan, Paula, Sara, Julie, and Patricia; three sons: Jude, Timothy, and Peter (Joanie); eleven grandchildren: Ashley (Ahmed), Cameron (Allison), Brennan, Charlotte (Cedric), Kyrie (Harrison), Vance, Quinton, Ally Jo, Zane, Keegan, and Deeanna; five great-grandchildren: Sami, Madeline, Lucca, Aziz, and Quincy; one sister: Alice Wiesner of St. Marys; two brothers: Thomas Dornisch (Sue) of St. Marys and Bernard Dornisch (Irene) of Lock Haven; a sister-in-law, Eileen “Dolly” Dornisch of St. Marys; two brothers-in-law: Gelindo “Boots” Bonfardine of St. Marys and Robert Fehrenbach of Wauwatosa, WI; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Al was preceded in death by a very special granddaughter, Madeline Paguyo; two sisters: Margaret Bonfardine and Mary Therese “Teeta” Dornisch; two brothers: Paul Dornisch and Richard “Dick” Dornisch; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Fehrenbach.
Al and Carol raised their eight children (and countless foster children) in Minnesota, where Al founded the Hennepin Technical Center, focused specifically toward the powder metal industry. While Al was most proud of his family, second to that was his pride for his “Hennepin Kids” who went on to be leaders in the powder metal industry globally. Al was a self-taught artist with an expertise for capturing wildlife in its natural habitat in such detail that his paintings were often mistaken for photography. Painting up until the day he died, Al took great joy both in creating and sharing his artistic talent with customers-turned-friends who visited Al and Carol at the many art shows they participated in throughout Al’s life.
Al’s commitment to building a fair and just world for all is surpassed only by his love for his family, especially his beloved and devoted Carol. His incredible legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless extended family and friends who will have to work hard to match his enormous heart.
Services for Al will be announced at a future date.
Per Al’s request, memorial donations, if desired, may be made to a favorite charity of one’s choosing.
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The world has most certainly been a better place because of Al. What a gifted, kind, and sharing man. I shall think of you, and Carol, every day, as I do, when I look at your paintings.
We continue to enjoy several of Al’s paintings and always enjoyed chatting with him at the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, MD. I came across some wonderful note cards today he gifted us the last time he was at Waterfowl. This got me thinking about him. Googling, I came across his obituary. Condolences to his family.
A wonderful and caring man. Thank you Mr. Dornisch for your countless contributions to making our world a better place.
A true treasure…
My thoughts and prayers are with you Carol and family. I Have several of Al’s prints, beautiful.
Ellen Krauss Lenze