Patrick Michael Dipzinski, 66, of Gaylord, drowned Saturday, August 15, 2009, while trying to save his grandson, Ethan Mroz, who also drowned, off the shore of Lake Michigan near Brevort River in Mackinac County.

He was born in Gaylord April 12, 1943, to Raymond and Stella Dipzinski.

He returned to Gaylord after a three-year stint in the U.S. Army to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary Huff. The two were married for 45 years.

Mr. Dipzinski later went to work for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections, retiring in 1977.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Dipzinski; his daughters and their families, Kym Dipzinski and Leah and Dan Mroz; two brothers and their families, Ronald and Shirley and Lawrence and Noreen; three sisters and their families, Gloria Moorhead, Judy Jones, and Sally and Claude Huff; two grandsons, Connor Dipzinski-Cagno and Dan Mroz; a great-grandson, Daniel Mroz; and an and his family, Bill and Lillian Wilson; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The grandfather and grandson shared a close bond and enjoyed camping and hunting together.

Mr. Dipzinski will be honored at a small service at his home later this week.

Nelson Funeral Home of Gaylord assisted the family with arrangements.