Name: Visitation for Fr. Robert Witkowski
Start: 2021-05-16T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-05-17T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. - Shelby Township

Fr. Robert Witkowski

Shelby Township - WITKOWSKI, Fr. Robert age 85, May 10, 2021

Reverend Robert John Witkowski was born in Hamtramck at St. Francis Hospital on September 11, 1935 to John and Jennie (née Nadrowski) Witkowski. Fr. Witkowski grew up in Hamtramck and Detroit and had one sister, Mary Ann. The Polish culture and language were cornerstones of Fr. Witkowski's identity. His parents, grandparents, and numerous relatives spoke Polish; Fr. Witkowski spoke and wrote Polish fluently throughout his life. He frequently performed Mass in Polish.

As a child he attended St. Louis the King elementary school and De La Salle Collegiate High School, both in Detroit. He attended St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake, graduating in 1957, and St. John's Provincial Seminary in Plymouth. Fr. Witkowski was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1961 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit.

Fr. Witkowski served as an assistant pastor at St. Matthew (1961-66) and Our Lady Queen of Heaven (1966-67) parishes in Detroit; chaplain at Herman Keifer and Detroit Osteopathic Hospital (1969); pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Melvindale (1976-80) and Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish of Grosse Pointe Woods (1980-81); and associate pastor of St. Lawrence Parish of Utica (1981-85). He was appointed parochial administrator of St. Raymond Parish in Detroit (1985-87) before becoming pastor of the parish (1987-89). Fr. Witkowski was named pastor of St. Edmund Parish in Warren in 1991 and served there until he retired in 2013.

Fr. Witkowski was an ardent and frequent traveler, especially to Poland and the Caribbean. He was close to several cousins and friends in Poland throughout his life; he visited them annually and sent them frequent care packages.Beloved uncle of Kathryn (Joe) Corey, Ruth Kedzior, Richard (Claudia Lozano) Kedzior and Mary Beth Kedzior. Proud great uncle of Carolyn, David, Logan, Emerson and John. Dearest brother of the late Mary Ann Witkowski. Visitation Sunday 3-9pm at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. (Shelby Township) 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. Rosary 7:00pm. Instate Monday 9:30am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church 44633 Utica Rd. Utica, MI until Mass, 10:00am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, MI or De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, MI are appreciated. Share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Detroit Free Press & The Detroit News from May 13 to May 14, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Witkowski

8 Entries

Mary Habel

May 8, 2024

It has been several Yeats since Father left St. Edmunds and we miss him still. His quiet humor and acceptance of our family was wonderful. I am sure he is smiling with the angels.

Deborah Zimny-Pollock

May 19, 2021

Father Witkowski was my friend and I would often refer to him as my own "spiritual father." His birthdate was 09-11, which was my own father's birthdate. He was three years younger than my Dad. He went to elementary school at St. Louis The King, as did I. He baptized me as a baby at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. He married my husband and I at St. Raymond on June 12 1987. He baptized and confirmed both of our children at St. Edmund Parish. Our family would attend Christmas Eve midnight mass there every year and present him with a Christmas gift. When he was a patient at Ascension St. John Hospital/Detroit, many years ago, I visited him. When I was also a patient there giving birth to my daughter thirty years ago in 1990, he came to visit me as well. Fr. Witkowski was our friend, mentor and advisor. I have always had the utmost respect and admiration for him and will miss him dearly. I am deeply saddened by his death, and will always have the fondest memories of him. This photo was taken on the evening of my daughter's Confirmation at St. Edmund in November 2002.
"Spoczywaj w pokoju" Fr. Witkowski, and may the perpetual light shine down upon him. Love,
Greg, Debbie, Nicole and Anthony Pollock

Mary Habel

May 16, 2021

Fr. Robert has been missed by us at St. Edmunds/St. Faustina for many years. He was a big part of our spiritual lives and he will always be in our hearts. Love, the Tim Habel family.

Thomas E. Nowicki

May 16, 2021

It is likely that there are few alive today that have known Father Bob as long as I have! We lived across the alley from each other, he on Conley and I on Fenelon! We played together, were classmates at St. Louis the King, were both Altar boys, and shared many other adventures! Even after I moved from the neighborhood, we remained friends over the course of our lives! I married my darling Ginny on the same day Bob was ordained, June 3, 1961! We attended his 1st Mass, his 1st Parish St. Matthew, was also our 1st! His 2nd Parish, Our Lady Queen of Heaven, was my Parent’s Parish! In the following years we kept in touch and shared other common experiences! We conversed on our shared 50th Anniversary, and discussed our retirement activities! Having an over 80 year friendship is rare, but though we’ve not spoken recently, Bob has never been forgotten!! He will be missed! My darling Ginny passed away in 2015! I hope she and Bob have an opportunity to meet again! God bless you, Father Bob!

You old friend, Tommy!

V.Rev. David J Lis

May 15, 2021

I have known Fr. Robert for 49 years since my senior year at St. Mary's College at Orchard Lake, and we have been close friends since that time. His prayers and support and guidance since my ordination saw me through many a challenge. Although I rejoice that Fr. Robert now knows the joy of Eternal Life with our Loving Lord, his passing has dimmed the Light that has for so many years kept me on the straight and narrow road. May God grant Fr. Robert Blessed Repose, and may his memory be Eternal!

Sharon Kilpatrick

May 14, 2021

God bless and be with you Fr Witkowski. He was my spiritual friend and I will always remember his kindness, compassion, deep spirituality and holiness which we will all miss. I am grateful for the grace to have known him since he was stationed at my parish at St Lawrence and during the rest of my life. Fr Bob will be deeply missed by many, including myself.

Vincent J Granowicz

May 13, 2021

Knew Father W. from DOH days. He was a close friend of my brother Gene, Wished I had been able to contact him when Gene Died last fall, RIP.

The Wujek-Calcaterra Family

May 13, 2021

May we continue to honor and respect all the lessons we have learned; acting as living symbols of a loving spirit. You are in our prayers.

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