Timothy W. Dwyer

Dwyer, Timothy W. , 56, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away August 23, 2010 at Faith Hospice with his wife, Carol, and daughter, Erin, at his side. Born on September 18, 1953 in Jackson, MI, Tim was the son of William and Angela Dwyer who precede him in death. In addition to his loving wife and devoted daughter, he is survived by brothers Bill (Paul), James (Mary), Thomas (Sandy), Michael (Barb), Patrick (Liz), Daniel (Connie), David (Diane), and sisters Mary Raushenberger (Joe) and Margaret Davis (Dana). He also leaves behind his parents-in-law, Jim and Trudy Wagner, whom he loved as his own, as well as their children Teresa Graetz (Larry), Sharon Partin, and Tom Wagner (Susan Armstrong), and numerous cousins, aunts, nieces and nephews, friends, and colleagues who loved him dearly.
Tim met Carol (Wagner) at Lumen Christi High School and they wed in 1975. Together they raised their only daughter, Erin Colleen. Throughout his life, Tim enjoyed golf, gardening, board games, puzzles, MSU basketball, and traveling. Professionally, Tim was a national figure in Catholic education, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of Catholic schools. His dedication as a layman in Catholic education was exemplary, characterized by generosity, knowledge, wit, and a joyful spirit.
Most recently, Tim was appointed Assistant Executive Director at the National Catholic Education Association in July 2001 and Director of Strategic Planning in 2008, where he was instrumental in the development of a series of workshops focusing on the financial management of Catholic schools and a frequent presenter at NCEA's annual convention. He also authored three NCEA publications on strategic planning, marketing, and financing for Catholic schools.
Prior to 2001, Tim served for nine years as superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Rochester, New York where he played a critical role in securing more than 50 million in support for Catholic schools in the diocese, and for five years in the same capacity for the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan after having served for nine years as an elementary school teacher and principal in Grand Rapids, MI.
A brief prayer service will be held Friday 9:30 AM at the Desnoyer Funeral Home, 204 N. Blackstone, Jackson, Michigan just prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Jackson at 10:00 AM. Interment St. John's Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 5-8 PM with a rosary service at 6 PM.

Donations are welcome to establish a scholarship fund at Lumen Christi High School in Tim's memory.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family owned for 120 years