Tenant Nabakowski

With the sudden passing of Tenant John Nabakowski on May 28, 2025, at the age of 76, our Country lost a true patriot and Vietnam war hero. His loving family and friends have lost a devoted husband, a favored son and brother, an honored Uncle and cousin, and a cherished friend.

Tenant was born and raised in Amherst, Ohio, graduating from Amherst High School. In his youth he raced dirt track “midget” cars that were built by him and his father Jack. He still holds the all-time record for most wins at the Lorain Cromwell Park racetrack. His famous car stood out, an all-black replica of Indy 500 race cars at the time, with bright white trim and the famous white #88!

After high school, Tenant enlisted in the Marines at the age of 19 at the height of the Vietnam War. He became a helicopter gunner and served an amazing four tours of duty in the highest death rate position in the War. Afterwards, Tenant worked in a variety of fields, including being the top male model between Chicago and New York in the 1980s and then running his own modeling agency and being heavily engaged in other small businesses.

In the late 1990s, he moved to Poland for two years where he met and married his beautiful wife of 25 years Ewa.

Tenant (T Nab) was truly a “man’s man” in every sense; a professional speed boat racer, a world class sailor, rock n roll band drummer and at the age of 62 the founder of a mountain bike club in Lakewood, OH that rode trails all over the Country; he even built the Thorn mountain bike trail in Findley State Park. He was lovingly known for his quick wit, jovial insults and pranks, his dapper attire, and spotless cars and bikes. He was also a very engaged Uncle/Great Uncle with his family in the U.S. and in Poland.

Later in life he suffered from Agent Orange disease and other serious afflictions from his service in Vietnam. There are many pictures and tributes to his heroic service posted and highlighted by his loving friends at Mission BBQ in Parma and Westlake.

Tenant was preceded in death by his World War II hero father John “Jack” Nabakowski, and by his beloved mother Jane (nee Williams) Nabakowski. He is survived in death by his loving wife Ewa Nabakowski (nee Waszczuk) of Lakewood OH; his sister Lynne (nee Nabakowski) Morain of Delmont, PA and his sister and brother-in-law Suzanne (nee Nabakowski) and Robert Koba of Brownhelm, OH. Tenant also is survived by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews with whom he was close.

A Military burial will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:00am at the Brownhelm Cemetery, 3025 N Ridge Rd. in Vermilion, OH, immediately followed by a luncheon provided by Mission BBQ at German’s Villa, 3300 Liberty Ave. Vermilion, OH. Dovin Funeral and Cremation Specialists handled the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family would suggest donations in Tenant’s name be made to: Agent Orange.Org Foundation helping military veterans suffering from effect of Agent Orange diseases or Village Bicycle Cooperative donating new bikes to families that would otherwise be unable to afford them.