Duane Kirk Briski

Duane Kirk Briski, age 35 of Jenison, passed away February 1, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids, where he had been a patient for several days. Duane was born October 10, 1972 in Southfield, the son of Paul and Gloria (Lassila) Briski. Duane grew up in Westland, where he attended the Wayne Westland schools and graduated from Wayne Memorial High School in 1990. Throughout his childhood, he loved sports and played on many local teams. � Duane was united in marriage to the former Cheryl Brown on June 7, 2002. He lived in Ypsilanti and Spring Lake, and since 2003 made his home in Jenison. Duane was employed by Carter Lumber for eight years and also Johnson Controls. Most recently, he was employed by Plastech, where he worked as a mold changer. Duane was passionate about carpentry, enjoyed working on his house and dreamed about one day building his own home. He continued to enjoy sports, county western music, deer hunting and debating politics and religion with anyone willing to take on the challenge. However, his most loved activity was being the proud father of his two children, Jessica and Brandon, whom he cherished more than anything else in this world. � Duane was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wilbert Lassila and Elaine (Lampinen) Lassila Maatta: his grandfather, Anton Briski,Jr., and an aunt, Rose (Lassila) Perala. � Duane is survived by his wife, Cheryl, his children, Jessica and Brandon, his parents, Paul and Gloria Briski of Garden City, three brothers, Stephen Briski of Dearborn Heights, David Briski of Garden City, and Brian (Gina) Briski of Westland. His grandmother, Lucille Briski of Garden City; two nieces Katie and Angelina Briski,� both of Westland; an aunt, Patricia (Dick) Yates of Lacey, Washington; three uncles, John (Joyce) Lassila of Las Vegas, Anthony (Kay) Briski of Janesville, Wisconsin, and Curt Briski of Pontiac, an uncle-in-law, Peter Perala of Twin Lakes; two great aunts, Evelyn Kuopus of Hancock and Mary Lou Howard of Houghton, his parents-in-law, Kenneth and Barbara Brown of Garden City, and numerous cousins, friends and co-workers. � Following cremation, a Memorial Service for Duane will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 7:30 PM at Vermeulen Funeral Home, 980 North Newburgh Rd., Westland. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 4:30 PM until 9:00PM. To share a memory with the family, please use the view and send condolence link on this page.

Duane Kirk Briski

October 10, 1972 - February 1, 2008