Chuck Dropiewski

Charles (Chuck) Dropiewski 1950-2025
The call to ministry and Christian evangelization came naturally and early to Chuck. Born on June 2, 1950 into the Polish Catholic enclave of Mt. Carmel Parish in Wyandotte, he grew up serving Mass along side his dad. It would be no surprise to his family when Chuck expressed a desire to study for the priesthood. He would spend eight years of High School and Undergraduate College at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, with additional studies in Postgraduate Theology at St. John Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan and Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Chuck's long career as a Pastoral Minister would include positions at St. Matthew, St. James, St. Germaine Parishes and at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica. His last and longest tenure was at his beloved St. Ambrose Catholic Community in Detroit/Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. Chuck dedicated himself to the service of others; preparing young couples for Marriage and for their children in Baptism. A consummate theologian and educator, his greatest joy was instructing new members into the Catholic faith and helping those already in the Church to continue their faith journey. Persons who didn't fit into other more structured and intense Church programs could always find in Chuck a way to access Christ.
Chuck had training as an adult educator, philosopher, biblical scholar, canon lawyer and liturgiologist. He was a frequent visitor and helper in his wife's classroom in Detroit Public Schools, including many visits around Christmas in a jolly red suit. He was an avid NYT crossword puzzler (always in pencil), weather and world geography fanatic and continuous pursuer of wit. He was a life-long baseball player and Detroit Tigers fan from his childhood in Wyandotte where Al Kaline was a neighbor. Chuck's son took him to participate in fantasy batting practice at Comerica Park where he took many great swings off former Tiger pitchers!
For almost 53 years, Chuck and his wife, Susan Palmer Dropiewski, who met while working as counselors at a summer camp for special needs children, wrote their ongoing family story, including two children: Jonathan Dropiewski (Robin) and Janice Dropiewski Mason (Scott), and five bright grandkids - Andrew, Katie, Joseph, Nicholas, and Alexander. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna Dropiewski, and by his sister, Ann Dropiewski Cottone.
Chuck succumbed to a battle with gastric cancer on October 18, 2025 after undergoing months of different and some new treatments with the goal of helping other patients. Writing towards the end, Chuck wanted his friends and family to know that "While my life here might be done, my work is not yet finished-- I want you to continue my legacy by building community with others and guiding others in their journey of Faith." Although that's a tall order, he had ultimate faith in the hundreds he considered family.
Visitation will take place on Friday, October 24th beginning with opening prayers at 3pm and will continue until 8pm at Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. Viewing at St. Ambrose, 15020 Hampton St., Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230 will begin at 10:00am with a Funeral Mass at 11am on Saturday, October 25, 2025. There will be a luncheon following in the ARK at St. Ambrose. Memorial donations can be made to Chuck's home parish of St. Ambrose, 15020 Hampton St., Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230.