OBITUARY REVEREND NICHOLAS ZUKOWSKI

Life: October 9, 1954
Baptismal Life: November 7, 1954
Eucharistic Life: May 20, 1962
Priestly Life: May 1, 1982
Appointed Pastor of St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish: July 1, 1993

Appointed Pastor of Martin de Porres Parish: July 1, 2014

Eternal Life: March 4, 2026

Reverend Nicholas Zukowski, of Warren, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the age of 71. Fr. Nick was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 9, 1954, to Raymond and Rose Marie (née Hapke) Zukowski, and grew up on the east side of Detroit.

In the fall of 1974, Fr. Nick began his priestly formation at St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake, Michigan. He graduated summa cum laude in May 1977 with a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy. Four months later, Cardinal John Dearden, Archbishop of Detroit, sent him to pursue theological studies and seminary formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. There, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, graduating cum laude, and began advanced studies in Christian Spirituality. He was ordained a transitional deacon in Rome on April 17, 1980.

His mother, Rose Marie, served as a parish secretary at Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish in Detroit from 1977 until 1992. His father, Raymond, was ordained a permanent deacon in 1981 and he also served at Sweetest Heart of Mary Parish.

Fr. Nick returned to the United States in the summer of 1981 to begin parish ministry. His internship year was at St. Mary Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Milford, Michigan. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal John Dearden at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit on May 1, 1982.

His assignments as associate pastor included Holy Cross Parish in Marine City (1982– 1985), Our Lady Queen of Apostles Parish in Hamtramck (1985–1990), and St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills (1990–1993). On July 1, 1993, Fr. Nick became the ninth pastor of St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish in New Baltimore, Michigan, where he served faithfully for 21 years. His second pastorate began on July 1, 2014, when he was appointed Pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Warren.

Throughout his ministry, Fr. Nick was a true shepherd guiding his flock. Even through his declining health, and up to his death, Fr. Nick provided gentle council to those who cared for him, and to other patients that sought his spiritual guidance and prayer.

Fr. Nick was predeceased by his parents, Deacon Raymond and Rose Marie (née Hapke) Zukowski, and his siblings Kathleen Wisniewski, David J. Zukowski, and Patricia Zukowski. He is survived by his loving nephew, Larry Sieczynski, and nieces, Lisa-Marie (Ira Keller) Sieczynski and Rosemarie (Jacob Dame) Wisniewski, as well as many dear cousins.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 31555 Hoover Road (north of 13 Mile Road), Warren, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a Parish Rosary led by the Active Christian Women's Club at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. led by Deacon Marion Jurewicz. The Mass of the Resurrection, presided over by the Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger, Archbishop of Detroit, will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in New Baltimore.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Fr. Nick's memory may be made to the Make-A- Wish Foundation.

May Jesus, the High Priest, reward Fr. Nick for his devoted priestly ministry!

Visit the Memorial Page

​

​

​​

​​

​

About Funeral Services at St. Martin de Porres​

​

The death of a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences of life. Our belief in the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the firm cornerstone of our Catholic faith. Whatever we do here on earth is to prepare ourselves for eternal life with God and with all the angels and saints. Providing funeral services is a fundamental form of parish ministry, service and outreach to a grieving family or to a grieving individual. The funeral wake service at the funeral home focuses on the past and includes eulogies; the Funeral Mass in church focuses on the present reality; the committal at the cemetery leaves us with a spirit of future hope.

Any Catholic living within the parish boundaries is entitled to a Funeral Service. “Funeral Service” does not automatically mean a Funeral Mass. The funeral service for the deceased and the surviving family should reflect the life and degree of faith-practice of the deceased and the surviving family.

​1. Catholics who are registered at St. Martin de Porres Parish and are active, practicing Catholics (or their surviving family who are registered at St. Martin de Porres and are active, practicing Catholics) may be offered the funeral wake/vigil service at the funeral home, the Funeral Mass at church, and burial services provided by the pastoral ministers and by the support team of volunteers of St. Martin de Porres Parish. This also applies to individuals who are/were registered at St. Martin de Porres Parish but spent their last days in a convalescent care center. This also may apply to former parishioners who have left the area. The wake service takes place in the funeral home the evening before the Funeral Mass; the Funeral Mass takes place in the church the following morning; burial at the cemetery immediately follows the Mass.

No “Memorial Mass” will be accepted at St. Martin de Porres Parish except under extreme circumstances; the body or the cremains of the deceased must be present for the Funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass is offered Monday through Friday (except legal holidays and holy days of obligation), depending upon the availability of the priest. The first choice of a day may not be possible. The pastor usually celebrates the Mass, but a guest priest (who is a relative or family friend) or a substitute priest also may preside (or concelebrate). Visitation at the church begins at 9:00 a.m.; the Funeral Mass begins at 9:30 a.m.

2. Catholics who are neither registered at St. Martin de Porres Parish nor are active, practicing Catholics (or their surviving family who are not registered at St. Martin de Porres Parish and are neither active nor practicing Catholics) may be offered a Liturgy of the Word service at the funeral home on the day of burial, and burial services at the cemetery. Generally, the parish deacon will officiate at all funeral home services. No Funeral Mass in church is to be offered by the funeral director nor will it be provided by the parish. Archdiocesan policy forbids the celebrating of a Funeral Mass in a funeral home.

​