Born on September 22, 1941, Jerome Dombrowski (Jerry) passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by his family.

Jerry served on the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) from 1969 to 2000. Captured by a Milwaukee Sentinel photographer, he was among the capable Engine 12 men who fought a blaze during the January blizzard of 1982. The fighters waded through 16-inch-high snow drifts in 12-degree temperatures, winter conditions often faced by the MFD. "My captain had to come to pick me up for work on a snowmobile because none of the roads were plowed," remembered Don Malmarowski, his friend.

The solidarity formed "on the job" entering flame-engulfed buildings created a lifetime of friendships. "We always went in, two-by-two. Over many years we only lost one guy who went in alone," said Dennis Burzynski, his friend of sixty years. 911 was a transformative and emotional moment in his life. The heroism of the men of the NYFD emotionally moved him and reminded the nation of the sacrifices made by America's first responders.

His daughter, Nicole Dombrowski-Risser, confirmed the cause of death was pancreatic cancer, which the family attributes to decades of exposure to toxic chemicals.

Born of the Vietnam War generation, Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1964 and served at Fort Bragg, N.C., bringing with him the love of his life, his wife, Sue. Discharged in 1966, he avoided overseas' deployment, which instilled in him deep respect for the military and especially combat veterans. He showed appreciation, volunteering to assist World War II veterans in the "Honor Flight" program and as a very active member of Milwaukee Fire Department Legion Post #426.

Jerry was a competitive swimmer at Pulaski High School, a tradition followed by his daughter, Colette. An avid sportsman, he and fellow fire fighters fished Wisconsin's small lakes. On Little Saint Germain, Metonga and others, he pursued the elusive Muskey, finally netting his catch on Nakomis. Later, on Phantom Lake, he passed on his passion to Aaron, his son. Success in golf, which he played until two weeks before he passed, eluded him but at Wednesday's "choir practices" with "the guys" he recovered his pride.

Jerry Dombrowski grew up in the tightly-knit Polish neighborhoods on Milwaukee's south side, immeasurably devoted to his family and friends. He is predeceased in death by his father, Bernard Dombrowski, mother, Irene (née Cichon), brother Thomas Dombrowski (Susan) and beloved grandson Joseph Henry Brunke. He is survived by wife Sue E. Dombrowski (née Randolph), his sister Petey Fredrickson (Dale), his son Aaron Dombrowski (Andrea), his two daughters, Colette Brunke (Bill), Nicole Dombrowski-Risser (James) and three grandchildren, Olivia, Michael and Kendall.

Memorial visitation will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 11AM - 1 PM, with a service at 1 PM, at the South Suburban, Prasser-Kleczka, Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerry's name may be made to The Milwaukee Fire Department Honor Guard or the American Cancer Society.