Dryden Schools mourns passing of longtime board member

DRYDEN — Dryden Community Schools is deeply saddened to announce the passing of longtime Board of Education member and dedicated public education advocate Larry Czapiewski on Sept. 21. He was 81.

“Larry’s commitment to education and public service spanned more than four decades,” said Superintendent Mary Finnigan. 

Czapiewski first served on the Dryden Community Schools Board of Education from 1980 through 2004, holding numerous leadership roles during his tenure, including trustee, secretary, vice president and president. 

“In August 2021, Larry once again answered the call to serve his local school district, returning to the Dryden Community Schools Board of Education,” Finnigan said.

He served as a trustee before most recently serving as board secretary. 

Finnigan said Czapiewski’s impact extended well beyond Dryden. He served on the Lapeer County Intermediate School District Board of Education since 1989 and most recently served as its president. His decades of leadership reflected an enduring commitment to public education and to the students, families, educators and communities throughout Lapeer County.

“Larry gave an extraordinary amount of his life to serving public education,” said Finnigan. “For more than 40 years, he was a steady and dedicated advocate for students and schools. His commitment to Dryden Community Schools, the Lapeer County Intermediate School District and our entire county was remarkable. More importantly, Larry was a valued colleague and friend. His knowledge, perspective and genuine care for our schools will be deeply missed.” 

Czapiewski was also the father of Dryden Elementary School Principal Stacey Abromaitis and grandfather to Dryden graduates Paige, Jackson, Lauren and Nicklas Abromaitis, making his connection to the Dryden school community both professional and deeply personal. Lauren (also known as Lola) is an assistant GSRP teacher at Dryden Elementary, and Paul works part time as a special education paraprofessional at Dryden High School.  

Throughout his life, Czapiewski was a man of many talents. A typesetter by trade, he also served as a Detroit Police Reservist, an MHSAA football referee, a distributor for The Detroit Free Press, and contributed to his family’s business for a number of years. 

Most recently, he served as the general manager at Hideaway Lanes in Almont, from 1996 until 2026, where he was warmly regarded and well-loved by league bowlers, customers and coworkers alike.

Larry’s dedication to public education and community service was a defining cornerstone of his life. 

He served on the Dryden Community Schools Board of Education from 1980-2004, and again from 2021-2026. He also was a member of the Lapeer County Intermediate School District Board of Education starting in 1989.

“Throughout his many years of service, Larry remained committed to strengthening educational opportunities for students and supporting the schools and communities he served,” Finniagan said. “His legacy can be seen in the generations of students, educators and families who benefited from his leadership and dedication. Dryden Community Schools extends its deepest condolences to Stacey, Larry’s family, his friends and all those whose lives he touched.” 

Czapiewski is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Karen Czapiewski, his two children and several grandchildren and extended family.