Detroit -- Fr. Francis Skalski was a fighter for the residents of Detroit’s Poletown area and for the interests of St. Hyancinth Parish, one of Poletown’s prominent parishes, says Msgr. Stanley Milewski.

“He was a dedicated warrior for the people of Poletown; he was always sticking up for their rights,” says Msgr. Milewski, chancellor emeritus of the Orchard Lake Schools.

And the best interests of his parish were always his principal interests in the three-and-a-half decades he served as pastor. “St. Hyancinth’s was his ‘wife,’” the monsignor continued.

Fr. Skalski died Oct. 20 from complications that followed a broken hip.

He had been afflicted with dementia in recent years, and was resident of Novi.

Msgr. Milewski, who was a year ahead of Fr. Skalski at St. Mary’s Preparatory and St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, recalls his old schoolmate having been a keen student and avid athlete. Fr. Skalski was both class president and captain of the football team in his senior year of high school, he recalled.

Fr. Boleslaus Krol, pastor of St. Louis the King Parish in Detroit, served as an associate pastor with Fr. Skalski for the first 14 years of his pastorate at St. Hyacinth.

“He was a good human being with a loving heart for everybody -- a very dedicated priest for the Church and for St. Hyacinth Parish,” says Fr. Krol.

Fr. Skalski was a very good administrator, but also willing to roll up his sleeves and do whatever work was necessary inside or outside the church, Fr. Krol continues.

Fr. Krol says Fr. Skalski was very proud of his Polish heritage, had a good sense of humor.

“He was, for me, like a brother,” he adds.

Francis Stephen Skalski was born in Detroit Nov. 21, 1928 to Stephen and Frances (Szewczyk) Skalski.

He attended Ellis Elementary and St. Francis of Assisi Grade School, Detroit, and St. Mary’s Preparatory, Orchard Lake.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, and completed his studies for the priesthood at St. John’s Provincial Seminary, Plymouth Township.

He was ordained to the priesthood June 2, 1951 by Cardinal Edward Mooney, and celebrated his first Mass at St. Francis d’Assisi Church in Detroit..

Fr. Skalski served as an assistant pastor at St. Florian Parish, Hamtramck (1956-60); St. John Cantius, (Delray) Detroit (1960-65); and St. Ladislaus Parish, Hamtramck (1965-71).

In 1971, Fr. Skalski was named pastor of St. Hyacinth Parish, Detroit, where he remained until his retirement in 2006.

He is survived by a brother, Richard; a sister, Stella (Jim) Przybyulski; several nephews and nieces; and many great-nephews and great-nieces.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 25 by Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss, with Cardinal Adam Maida in choir, at St. Hyacinth Church, Detroit. Burial was in St. Hedwig Cemetery, Dearborn Heights.

Condolences may be sent to his cousin, Connie Skalski, at 41130 Fox Run, Apt. 413, Novi 48377.