Former Hofa Park pastor dies

Fr. Mark (Daniel) Szych, OFM, of the Franciscan Friars of the Assumption BVM Province, Pulaski, died in his sleep June 27 at St. Mary's rectory in Mio, Mich., after 55 years as a Franciscan and 48 years of priesthood.

Fr. Szych, 73, was an avid fisherman who enjoyed the sport wherever he was. He was known as a patient fisher who wouldn't leave until he got his limit. The parish in Mio is in a resort area and gave him more opportunities to fish.

Fr. Szych was born May 10, 1928, in Toledo to Stephen and Frances (Marzec) Szych. He attended St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary and High School in Sturtevant, Wis., graduating in 1945.

In June of 1945, he was received into the Order of Friars Minor of the Assumption BVM Province in Pulaski. He professed his solemn vows on June 26, 1949, and was ordained a priest June 11, 1953.

For the next 20 years, he was a teacher, disciplinarian and athletic director in schools in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

In 1972, he became pastor of St. Casimir Parish in Krakow, Wis., where he served until 1981. He served as pastor at Assumption BVM Parish, Pulaski, from 1981 to 1986, and then as pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish in Hofa Park until 1995.

For reasons of health, Fr. Szych moved to the provincial retirement home in Burlington in 1996.

Three years later, he volunteered for more parish work in Mio.

Bp. Patrick Cooney of Gaylord presided at the Mass of Christian Burial on June 30 at St. Mary Church in Mio. An additional funeral Mass was celebrated July 3 at Assumption BVM Church in Pulaski. Burial followed in the provincial cemetery.

Surviving are a sister, Hattie Jurski; nephews Peter (Maryann) Jurski, Terry (Mary) Szych and Paul Wroe; a niece, Joan (George) Lykowski; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Skwiercz; and his Franciscan community in Pulaski.