Douglas Goriesky

Douglas A. Goriesky, 81, of Iron River, MI passed away on January 12, 2024, at Florence Health Services in Florence, WI. He was born on January 31, 1942, at Stambaugh General Hospital, the son of Zigmund and Ellen (King) Goriesky. He graduated from Iron River High School class of 1960. He attended Michigan Technological University and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He was licensed in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin as a civil engineer, and worked for various civil engineering firms in those states as well as in Colorado. He was a county engineer while living in Shakopee, MN, and was later self-employed as a civil engineer in Michigan. Doug enjoyed flying planes after earning his pilot license and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He had three ultra-light planes that he rebuilt and built a glider. He was an avid aviation buff and had extensive knowledge of most WWII planes and others. He loved visiting the National Air and Space Museum. He was thrilled whenever a newly restored plane was added to their collections. He knew the specifics of each plane to include such minutiae as how much fuel was burned per hour in flight. He looked forward to attending the Oshkosh Air Show when possible. He loved the Upper Peninsula’s great outdoors and Lake Superior. He enjoyed walking in the woods and surrounding area, looking for wild berries in season, local waterfalls, and all kinds of flora and fauna. Doug was a stained glass artist and would spend hundreds of hours on a single piece of his own design. He used his drafting and technical skills to implement his finely crafted works. He was fascinated with the history, technology, and ruins from the former local mining era. He liked to visit long abandoned forgotten mining areas, sometimes only accessible by foot. He knew what all the old, rusted items and tools were initially used for. He served for a short while on the board of directors at the Iron County Historical Museum. Doug is survived by his sons: Moss (Misty) Goriesky of Marshfield, WI, and Ian Goriesky of Hastings, MN; daughters, Lucienne (Frank) Bray of Park Rapids, MN, Noelle Goriesky of Menahga, MN, and Nikki Guida of Park Rapids, MN; sisters, Gail Goriesky of Alexandria, VA, and Mary Goriesky of Kalamazoo, MI; grandchildren: Treg Allen Goriesky, Grace Lee, Billy (Jenn) Lee, Ahlias, Katrielle, Isaiah, Madeline, Sophia, Tabitha, Vivienne, Theodore, Samantha, Evan, and Hailee; great grandchildren, Natallie, Donovan, and Rebekah; extended family and friends. Private family services will be held. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Douglas Goriesky, please visit our flower store.