Fr. Robert J. Witkowski passed on from this life on May 10, 2021, at the age of 85. 

Fr. Witkowski was born Sept. 11, 1935, in Hamtramck, and ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 3, 1961.

Fr. Witkowski served as pastor of St. Edmund Parish, Warren; St. Raymond Parish, Detroit; Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, Grosse Pointe Woods; and St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Melvindale. He also served as administrator at St. Faustina Parish, Warren; St. Sylvester Parish, Warren; St. Raymond Parish, Detroit; and as parochial vicar at St. Lawrence Parish, Utica; Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, Detroit; and St. Matthew Parish, Detroit. 

Fr. Witkowski also served as chaplain at Herman Keifer & Detroit Osteopathic Hospital. Subsequent to a 2018 determination by the Archdiocese of Detroit that allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor dating back to the early years of his ministry were substantive, Fr. Witkowski was restricted from public ministry according to the norms of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, May 16 from 3-9 p.m. at Wujeck-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 54880 Van Dyke (at 25 Mile Road), Shelby Township, MI 48316, with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Fr. Witkowski will lie in repose on Monday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m., at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 44633 Utica Road, Utica, MI until the time of his funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be attended by family only at Holy Sepulchre.

Fr. Witkowski was predeceased by his parents, John and Jennie (nee Nadrowski) Witkowski and sister, Mary Ann Witkowski. He is survived by nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.