Rev. Francis G. Dobrzenski

Deceased: 2023-05-28

Diocese: MARQUETTE

CSM Graduation Year: 1981

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MARQUETTE, Mich. – Rev. Francis Gerard Dobrzenski, age 73, died on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023, at the Trillium House in Marquette, after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

He was born Jan. 16, 1950, in Stambaugh, to William John and Celia (Brozak) Dobrzenski. He attended St. Agnes Catholic Grade School in Iron River, and after discerning a call to the priesthood attended St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin, for high school. In 1969, He attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida, Wisconsin, and St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin, where he earned bachelor’s degree. In 1972, he attended St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

Father Francis was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1977, at his home parish of St. Agnes in Iron River, by the Most Rev. Charles A. Salatka. His parish assignments included associate pastor at St. Patrick in Escanaba and St. George in Bark River, as well as St. Mary-St. Joseph in Iron Mountain. He was pastor of several parishes including Sacred Heart in Ewen, the Mission of St. Francis in Sidnaw, Immaculate Conception in Watersmeet, St. Joseph/St. Patrick in Escanaba, St. Joseph in Lake Linden, St. Cecilia in Hubbell, and Holy Family in Flat Rock. He also served as temporary administrator of several parishes as the need arose.

In 1981, he studied Canon Law at the Graduate House of Studies at the North American College in Rome, Italy. In 1982, he studied Canon Law at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. After his studies, he served in many capacities in the Diocesan Tribunal.