Ronald Stanley Bukowski. Ron passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the age of 80 following a valiant battle with cancer. Beloved husband of 54 years to Nancy (Smulsky) Bukowski; father of Pamela (John) McCaskill, Kimberly Hesano and Ronald Bukowski, Jr.; cherished Grandpa of Sean, Kylie, Kayla, Justin and Jacob; dearest son of the late Stanley and Mary (Kopach) Bukowski, brother of Jerry Bukowski and Janet (Guy) DelGiudice; uncle of Jeff (Katie), Tia (Michael) and the late Tony; best friend to his Beagle, Hunter, whom he loved and adored!

Born and raised in Dearborn, Ron graduated from Fordson High School, before attending the University of Buffalo (New York) and then Wayne State University (Detroit), earning both bachelor's and master's degrees. Ron's career in education spanned 40+ years via the Dearborn Public Schools, where he served in the roles of teacher, coach (he enjoyed coaching high school football and girls' volleyball, as well as junior high girls' swim teams) and assistant principal, before officially retiring from his role as principal of Nowlin Elementary School in 2007, although Ron continued to serve as substitute principal (for various schools, as needed) for several years beyond his official "retirement" date.

Ron was an active organizer and contributor to the greater Dearborn community throughout his life, including working via Dearborn's District Courts and Parks & Recreation Departments, annual Dearborn Homecoming events and Memorial Day parades, as well as devoting his time, energies and expertise to many other community organizations, service clubs and charities, including Fordson Varsity Alumni Club, Dearborn Goodfellows, Exchange Club of Dearborn and Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) Animal Shelter (all also continuing well beyond his official "retirement" date and through to the very end).

Ron perhaps was known best for his enthusiastically unwavering commitments to his family, friends, students, student athletes and their families, as well as his intuitively easy ability to connect with others, positively impacting those around him with his sincere kindness, mentoring and friendship, making everyone feel genuinely special and fully appreciated. Valuing his relationships, integrity and truly believing in the power of teamwork, Ron personified "living life to the fullest", showing up for everyone and everything, seizing any opportunity to help others and enthusiastically accepting any requests for help - he never declined an opportunity to make someone laugh or smile, going out of his way to make sure everyone around him was fully attended to and had anything/everything they might need, always leading by example and respectfully inspiring confidence in those around him. Ron readily befriended and was befriended by others, making and sustaining life-long friendships via his generosity and infectious optimism. Above all, Ron loved his family and ensured they were fully provided for (often at the expense of his own sleep!). The emotionally human void left by his passing will be surpassed only by his personal legacy, and the innumerous legacies he inspired in others.

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hackett-Metcalf Funeral Home in Dearborn. Instate will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn this Friday, August 25, 2023, until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m.

Ron's ashes will be entombed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) at www.metrodetroitanimals.org.

Please take a moment to share a memory or a story about Ron or to leave a condolence for the Bukowski Family on Ron's Tribute Wall.