DETROIT — The Detroit Catholic Central High School community mourned the loss of David Widzinski, 15, who died in his sleep sometime overnight Dec. 2-3.

David was a student and standout football player who played running back and linebacker for the state runner-up Shamrocks. As of Dec. 7, his cause of death was undetermined as results of an autopsy were pending.

According to friends and family, David was a loving teenager who went out of his way to help others.

Catholic Central students and staff gathered Dec. 4 for a memorial service and rosary for David, who was a sophomore. Counselors and priests at the school were available to students throughout the week.

“The hearts of our CC community have been tugged in several different and painful directions over this past year,” said Fr. John Huber, C.S.B., principal of the school, in a statement on the school’s website. “We are confident in the prayers, love and support of the greater community, as we have already experienced over this past year.”

A wake and rosary were held for David at St. Kenneth Parish, Plymouth, on Dec. 6. His funeral Mass was Dec. 7 at the high school’s chapel.

In the spring, Catholic Central mourned the loss of Robert Cipriano, the father of two students at the school who was killed in an assault that also injured one of the boys, Salvatore Cipriano, and his mother, Rosemary Cipriano. Both are continuing to recover.

The Widzinski family has set up a scholarship fund in memory of David for income-disadvantaged Catholic Central students.

To contribute, send a check to David Widzinski ’15 Memorial Scholarship, c/o Mr. Dan Collins, Catholic Central High School, 27225 Wixom Road, Novi, MI 48374.

---

Editor’s note: The Michigan Catholic, Archdiocese of Detroit and Detroit Catholic Central High School communities offer their prayers and condolences to the family and friends of David Widzinski during this difficult time. We ask our readers to keep everyone involved in prayer and support as well.