He was born on Feb. 1, 1931, in Kawkawlin, son of Nicholos and Theresa (Rozek) Ratajczak. He attended the Cathedral School in Detroit and received his secondary education from St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids. Father Ratajczak went on to further priestly formation at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1958 by Bishop Stephen S. Woznicki at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.
During his priesthood, Father. Ratajczak served as assistant pastor at St. James, Whittemore; St. Pius X, Hale; and the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, Saginaw. In 1963, he was appointed as pastor at St. Patrick, Croswell and St. John the Evangelist, Peck. He later served as pastor at St. Mary, Parisville; administrator at St. Patrick, Palms; and pastor at St. Maria Goretti, Bay City; St. Hedwig, Bay City; and St. Valentine, Beaver (Kawkawlin). He also served on the diocese’s education and finance boards and as the coordinator for stewardship. He was granted senior priests status (retired) in 2004.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 7, 2010 at St. Valentine Catholic Church, 999 Nine Mile Rd in Kawkawlin. The Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, will preside. The Rev. James Carlson will preach the homily. Burial will take place at St. Valentine Parish Cemetery in Beaver Township.
Visitation will take place at St. Valentine Catholic Church from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2010, including a 7:00 p.m. vigil liturgy led by the Rev. Richard Jozwiak. There also will be an opportunity for visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday until the time of the funeral Mass.
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