FARMINGTON HILLS — The Dearborn Public Schools district continues to mourn the loss of  Business Services Director Robert Cipriano, who was killed in the early morning hours of Monday after a break-in at his home. 

Robert Cipriano (L) and Tucker Cipriano. Tucker and another man, Mitchell Young, have been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Staff members who work with Cipirano in the Administration Building were shocked and saddened upon hearing the news, and grief counselors have been made available following the passing of Cipriano, who has been with the district since July 2000 and was in charge of managing the district’s $200 million budget while overseeing district athletics. 

“This is a very tragic and sad day for the Dearborn Public Schools family. We have lost a respected professional but more important we have lost a dear friend,” commented Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Mr. Brian Whiston. 

In the wake of the incident, a baseball bat-related attack, Cipriano’s 19-year-old son Tucker, and another man, Mitchell Young, age 20, have been charged with murder and attempted murder. His mother and brother were also critically injured in the attack. Another son and a daughter were both able to escape without injury. 

Tucker Cipriano had been on probation for drug convictions but reportedly didn’t see his probation officer as scheduled on March 15. 

Whiston described Cipriano as a serious, caring man who worked to preserve school services and amenities in the face of budget cuts, but also a man that was known for his sense of humor and devotion to family and Dearborn students. He formerly worked at Oakwood Hospital and is a graduate of Central Michigan University. 

“Bob will be remembered as someone who loved his wife and kids.  He would come in early so he could attend his kids functions, many times returning after to get more work done,” Whiston said. 

“We lost a great leader and a good friend.  We pray for Rose and Sal that they fully recover…We are grateful we were able to work alongside of Bob as he committed 12 years of his life to make Dearborn a better school district and community.”