Submitted by: Dan Rich

Brother Orlando (Edward) Gozdowski, C.S.C

Jan. 11, 1916 - Jan. 13, 2004

South Bend Tribune 1/17/2004

Brother Orlando (Edward) Gozdowski, CSC died of heart failure on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in Saint Joseph Medical Center, South Bend, Ind. Bro. Orlando was 88. Bro. Orlando was born to the late Joseph and Veronica (Suchomski) Gozdowski in Toledo, Ohio on Jan. 11, 1916. After high school Bro. Orlando worked in a printing plant in Toledo, and then entered Sacred Heart College, Watertown, Wis. as a postulant on Oct. 31, 1936.

On Feb. 1, 1937, he entered St. Joseph Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, Ind. After Bro. Orlando's first profession, Feb. 2, 1938, he worked as a printer at Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, for one year, then as a teacher and prefect at Gibault School for Boys, Terre Haute, Ind. for the next seven years. Following a year at the Foreign Mission Seminary of Holy Cross in Washington, D.C., he was assigned to Holy Cross College and the Generalate of Holy Cross, both in Rome, where for 18 years he served as secretary, purchaser, banker and in maintenance.

Then came 12 years in Holy Cross missions in Uganda, East Africa, as assistant treasurer for the Diocese of Fort Portal, where, in addition to his duties in that office, he was active in assisting refugees arriving in Uganda from Rwanda. Bro. Orlando returned to the United States in 1977 and worked at Bourgade High School, Phoenix, Ariz. After two years, the foreign missions called again and he went to Ghana, West Africa, where he served in the Diocese of Sunyani. Since 1983 until his death Bro. Orlando has lived at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame. During a sabbatical year of renewal (1985-1986) he studied art and music at Notre Dame. While serving at Holy Cross House, he continued his avocation, especially in watercolor painting, drawing and calligraphy -- a damaged nerve in one finger made it impossible for him to continue his cello playing.

Bro. Orlando is survived by his sisters, Alice Feltman of Toledo, and Henrietta Okulski of Erie, Mich.; and a brother, Raymond of Sylvania, Ohio.

Viewing will be held for Bro. Orlando in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, on Sunday, Jan. 18, from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Monday, Jan. 19, at 3:30 p.m. The Kaniewski Funeral Home in South Bend is in charge of arrangements.