Conventual Franciscan priest

The Very Reverend Marion Tolczyk, OFM Conv., 86, a Franciscan Friar and longtime Rector and Pastor of St. Stanislaus Basilica, Bishop and Martyr died Friday, September 6, 2013 at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center. Born Sigismund Tolczyk in Bridgeport, CT on March 1, 1927, son of the late Bronislaw and Eleanor (Szczepanek) Tolczyk, he was given the name Marian upon entry into the Novitiate of the Franciscan Friars Conventual. He completed his Novitiate at St. Lawrence Friary in Becket, MA, 1945-46. He professed his Simple Vows as a Franciscan Friar on August 15, 1946, and his Solemn Vows on August 15, 1949. He was Ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Christopher Weldon, at St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, MA, on June 24, 1954. Father Marion attended St. Bonaventure University and St. Joseph Cupertino Seminary from 1946 to 1950. He completed theological studies at St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby, MA, in 1954. He earned an MS degree in Education at Canisius College, Buffalo, NY in 1966. Many of Fr. Marion's ministerial assignments were in high schools and parishes. From 1954 to 1955 he was Assistant Pastor at St. Michael Parish, Bridgeport, CT and from 1955-1959 Assistant Pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish in Chicopee. In the years 1959 to 1969 Fr. Marion was teacher, prefect, Vice Principal and Principal of St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, NY. Fr. Marion worked in the administration of St. Anthony of Padua Province as Vicar Provincial and Secretary from 1969 to 1973. He was Vicar Provincial and Pastor of St. Adalbert Church, Elmhurst, NY. He served as Minister Provincial from 1976-1982. During the years 1982 to 1991 he returned as Pastor of St. Stanislaus Church, Chicopee and it was during his pastorship that the church received recognition as a Minor Basilica in 1991. Fr. Marion served as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Danbury, CT from 1991-1994 and then received a well-deserved sabbatical year, from 1994-1995, in Poland. Using the skills he learned while on sabbatical, Fr. Marion became only the third director of the Fr. Justin Rosary Hour, from 1995-2002, in its 69 year history. In the latter part of his life, Fr. Marion returned to parish life working a Parochial Vicar at St. Paul Parish Kensington, CT 2002-2005, and then returned to the St. Stanislaus Basilica, 2005 - 2010 while residing at the St. Hyacinth Senior Residence. When he was no longer able to be cared for there, he entered St. Vincent's Home in Holyoke. Fr. Marion is survived by his sister, Helen Norko; and several nieces and nephews; He was predeceased by a sister, Connie Zielinski. Fr. Marion will lie in state at St. Stanislaus Basilica on Thursday, September 12 from 2 PM to 7 PM. A Franciscan Wake Service will take place in the Basilica at 7 PM. His funeral Mass will be held in the Basilica on Friday at 11 AM with burial following in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd. Ellicott City, MD 21042. kozikowskifuneralhome.com

Published in Connecticut Post on September 10, 2013

Conventual Franciscan priest

The Very Reverend Marion Tolczyk, OFM Conv., 86, a Franciscan Friar and longtime Rector and Pastor of St. Stanislaus Basilica, Bishop and Martyr died Friday, September 6, 2013 at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center. Born Sigismund Tolczyk in Bridgeport, CT on March 1, 1927, son of the late Bronislaw and Eleanor (Szczepanek) Tolczyk, he was given the name Marian upon entry into the Novitiate of the Franciscan Friars Conventual. He completed his Novitiate at St. Lawrence Friary in Becket, MA, 1945-46. He professed his Simple Vows as a Franciscan Friar on August 15, 1946, and his Solemn Vows on August 15, 1949. He was Ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Christopher Weldon, at St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, MA, on June 24, 1954. Father Marion attended St. Bonaventure University and St. Joseph Cupertino Seminary from 1946 to 1950. He completed theological studies at St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby, MA, in 1954. He earned an MS degree in Education at Canisius College, Buffalo, NY in 1966. Many of Fr. Marion's ministerial assignments were in high schools and parishes. From 1954 to 1955 he was Assistant Pastor at St. Michael Parish, Bridgeport, CT and from 1955-1959 Assistant Pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish in Chicopee. In the years 1959 to 1969 Fr. Marion was teacher, prefect, Vice Principal and Principal of St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, NY. Fr. Marion worked in the administration of St. Anthony of Padua Province as Vicar Provincial and Secretary from 1969 to 1973. He was Vicar Provincial and Pastor of St. Adalbert Church, Elmhurst, NY. He served as Minister Provincial from 1976-1982. During the years 1982 to 1991 he returned as Pastor of St. Stanislaus Church, Chicopee and it was during his pastorship that the church received recognition as a Minor Basilica in 1991. Fr. Marion served as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Danbury, CT from 1991-1994 and then received a well-deserved sabbatical year, from 1994-1995, in Poland. Using the skills he learned while on sabbatical, Fr. Marion became only the third director of the Fr. Justin Rosary Hour, from 1995-2002, in its 69 year history. In the latter part of his life, Fr. Marion returned to parish life working a Parochial Vicar at St. Paul Parish Kensington, CT 2002-2005, and then returned to the St. Stanislaus Basilica, 2005 - 2010 while residing at the St. Hyacinth Senior Residence. When he was no longer able to be cared for there, he entered St. Vincent's Home in Holyoke. Fr. Marion is survived by his sister, Helen Norko; and several nieces and nephews; He was predeceased by a sister, Connie Zielinski. Fr. Marion will lie in state at St. Stanislaus Basilica on Thursday, September 12 from 2 PM to 7 PM. A Franciscan Wake Service will take place in the Basilica at 7 PM. His funeral Mass will be held in the Basilica on Friday at 11 AM with burial following in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse, 12300 Folly Quarter Rd. Ellicott City, MD 21042. kozikowskifuneralhome.com

Published in Connecticut Post on September 10, 2013