On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Ronald L. Wolkowicz died in his sleep at the age of 76. He was born September 27th, 1949 to Frances (née Wilchesky) and Leo Robert Wolkowicz in Detroit, MI. The eldest of three children, he was called into responsibility at an early age when their father passed away in 1957 at only 39 years old. This sense of duty, stewardship and service to others would be a defining feature of his character throughout his life and the way that he best communicated care for family, friends, colleagues and strangers alike.

Raised by athletes, Ron played baseball from a young age and integrated sport into both his social and professional life for as long as his body was able. After attending St. Hedwig’s High School in Detroit, MI, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and then a Master's degree in Recreation Administration, from Central Michigan University. Following in both his father and step-father’s footsteps, he worked in the field of Parks & Recreation, finding power and purpose through more than 38 years of service to the City of Inkster as well as concurrent, comparable time working in leadership at ice skating centers in Dearborn/Dearborn Heights, including DISC and Canfield Arena.

As Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Inkster, he proudly built parks throughout the community, coordinated celebrations, and worked to integrate the arts into the park system through his support of the annual Jazz Festival (now Summer Music Festival). He grew intergenerational programs around technology and skillsharing to enhance access to resources for old and young alike, built physical and social education programs for youth, and constantly worked to connect with other community leaders to reach all neighborhoods and include many perspectives.

Ron’s life was framed not only by service, but also by great losses that acted as inflection points and influenced his life path. The death of his young father, being laid off during early fatherhood, the premature death of his wife in a car accident, and more recently, the loss of his eldest daughter to Covid-19 in the early days of the pandemic. While most would agree that Ron carried more than his portion of grief throughout his life, he also had one of the most infectious laughs ever heard, especially when instigated by his brother Leo.

He was blessed with two loves in his life. He met Mariann in college, they married in 1976 and bought their lifelong home in Inkster in 1978. There they raised two daughters, Elizabeth and Lindsey, and were happily married at the time of Mariann’s passing in 1997. Following a period of mourning, Ron found Ann Gail, with whom he shared over 20 years of loving companionship. He was a loyal friend who would give a friend the shirt off of his back without hesitation. While he was able-bodied, he enjoyed softball and bowling leagues, golf and skiing outings, event production and Thai food. He could not work a remote control, but was otherwise quick to ask you “what do you need?” and show up at your door with more than you need the next day. Generous and formidable, he was known to his children’s friends universally as “The Ron” and as a father he ensured that, despite tragedy, his daughters would be able to pursue any goals they set for themselves as they moved through their lives.

Ronald Wolkowicz is preceded in death by his wife, Mariann Wolkowicz (née Bogle), his eldest daughter Elizabeth M. Wolkowicz, his parents Leo R. Wolkowicz and Frances M. Harlow, and stepfather Peter C. Harlow as well as his in-laws Robert Bogle and Mary E. Bogle (nee’ Pickle) and his brother in law John R. Bogle.

Ron is survived by his daughter Lindsey A. Wolkowicz, her wife Dillon Paul and their daughter Maeve K. Paul. His brother Leo J. Wolkowicz and his wife Mary L. Connolly, have been his primary caretakers over recent years, lovingly stewarding his experience through this difficult final chapter of his life with good humor, quality time, abiding patience and compassion. Ron is also survived by his sister Mary Ellen, her husband Mike Kellogg, his sister in law Elizabeth A. Bogle (nee’ Bentley) as well as his nieces and nephew, Karen, Kyle, Janine and Courtney and their families. He was deeply grateful for the lifelong friendships and belonging he found in his fraternity, his career in recreation and through athletics including, notably, Michael Giordano, Bill McSween, Dan and Kathleen Reeves, Michael Whitten, Lance and Joy Wilson, Charlie and Sandy Horn, Denny and Mary Fryz, The Hennessey Family, Kirk Young, George Thompson, The Connolly Family and the Gail/McDuffee family who have provided him with joy, reprieve, support, laughter and love throughout his life.

Ron was a proud member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Central Michigan University Alumni Association. He was a decades-long member of the Michigan Recreation and Park Association (formerly MRPA, now MParks), a lifelong member of the Boys & Girls Club and of the Polish National Alliance.

In his professional life, Ron committed himself to providing equitable access to athletics,

skill-building, and public spaces, especially for young people, as a pathway to belonging, growth and opportunity. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Detroit  adding Ron's name as the Dedicatee and his daughter Lindsey as the recipient contact at lindseyawolkowicz@gmail.com.

Thank you all for holding him in your thoughts, and for remembering his smile, his steadfastness and his generosity in years to come.

Visitation Friday, June 19th from 2pm - 8pm with a 7pm evening prayer service at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home. In state Saturday, June 20th at 9:30am until the 10am Funeral Service at Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn, MI. Ronald will then be interned at St Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn alongside his wife and daughter.