Ronald Eugene Niedzwiecki's Obituary
Ronald Eugene Niedzwiecki of Brooklyn, Michigan passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2024, under the loving care of his family in his home on Lake Columbia. Born October 23, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, Ron is survived by his wife and best friend of 57 years, Denise, his daughter Janene Niedzwiecki (Craig) of Napoleon, Michigan; his son, Scott (Maggie) Niedzwiecki of Perry, Ohio; and his daughter Kristen (Pete) Niedzwiecki Dautovic of Euclid, Ohio. Ron is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Catherine (Kyle) Beimers, Tomasz (Kelly) Niedzwiecki, Liam Daly, Mark Niedzwiecki, Chad Carpenter, Shannon Daly, Anna Niedzwiecki, Josef Dautovic, Cecilija Dautovic, Michal Niedzwiecki and two great grandchildren: Lucy and Margo Beimers. Ron is also survived by his siblings: Rick (Mary) and Darrell (Sharon) Niedzwiecki; Linda (Stan) Picarski; and Anita (Randy) Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Virginia Niedzwiecki and sister Geraldine Percell.
Ron graduated from St. Clement High School in Center Line, Michigan, in 1961 where he returned to serve as a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal from 1967-1972. Ron was a proud graduate of John Carroll University (1966), University Heights, Ohio, where he was the captain of the football team and earned his B.A. Later he received his M.A. at Wayne State University (1975) and further administrative studies at MSU and CMU. He coached and taught history at Adams High School in Rochester until 1979. In 1979-1986 Ron moved his family to Jackson, Michigan, where he worked as assistant principal/athletic director, eventually becoming the principal. From 1986-1999 Ron was the superintendent of Manchester Community Schools. Ron had a hard time staying retired and headed right back into his role as principal of Jackson Catholic Middle School from 1999-2006 and continued his mission as an educational leader in the Jackson Catholic Schools until 2015. Ron finally ended his remarkable career in 2019 at St. Francis De Sales in Toledo, Ohio, where he served as Vice President /Director of Operations. The impact that Ron had on his students, athletes, and colleagues is shown in the outpouring of love and respect they have shown through the years, but the greatest love of his life is Denise and the family that they created. They traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, and to Ferris State football games every available weekend to watch their grandchildren participate in various sports. After every event, whether it was gymnastics, hockey, swimming, baseball, or cross country, their beloved Dzia Dzia would be on the sidelines with a big hug and words of encouragement. He loved football and when he couldn’t make the long trips to watch Perry HS win the championship, he listened to the games on live stream. Ron and Denise also had many travel adventures around the world, but were happiest surrounded by family, eating big meals, celebrating holidays, and watching all the kids grow up. Ron spent his last years individually telling his children and grandchildren how proud he was of them. His loving wisdom, kindness, sense of humor, selflessness, perseverance, gentleness, and faith in God define his legacy and will remain in the hearts of his friends and family forever. He taught us all how to live and love.
Ron’s family would like to thank the staff at Henry Ford Oncology and the caregivers at Hospice for their kindness, guidance, and care during these difficult times. A heartfelt thank you also goes to friends and family that kept Ron and Denise in their prayers and reached out in so many beautiful ways now and throughout the last few years.
Ron’s family and friends will gather for a celebration of life on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Eineder Funeral Homes, Brooklyn Chapel. Rosary will be at 6:30 pm. Monday, August 26, 2024 visitation will be from 10:00 am – 11:00 am at St. Rita Catholic Church with the Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:00 am. Celebrant is Fr. Geoff Rose, Osfs.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Leukemia/American Cancer Society in memory of Ronald Niedzwiecki. Please leave a message of comfort for Ron’s family or sign his guestbook at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com
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