Submitted by: Dan Rich
May 13, 1926 - Aug. 1, 2007
South Bend Tribune 8/3/2007
SOUTH BEND - Reverend Eugene J. Kazmierczak's final
departure from his Pleasant Street dwelling took place on the hot
and sunny morning of August 1, 2007, to journey to his eternal
home. He lost a very long battle with congestive heart failure
and diabetes. Fr. Gene was born May 13, 1926, to the late Anna (Kwast)
and Valentine (Walter) Kazmierczak at 38 Raratian Avenue, South
River, New Jersey. He entered the parish school at six years old
at St. Mary Ostrabramo in South River, New Jersey. He graduated
from South River High School in 1943. Fr. Gene's ambition was to
be a chemistry teacher. He attended Syracuse University until God
intervened.
One year later, he attended St. Mary's
College at Orchard Lake, MI, graduating with a bachelor of arts
degree. In 1947 he entered SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary at
Orchard Lake. Fr. Gene was ordained by the late Bishop John F.
Noll at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Fort Wayne, IN. He
celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 27, 1951, at St. Mary
Ostrabramo, South River, New Jersey.
On July 4, 1951, Fr. Gene was assigned to
St. Adalbert Church, South Bend, IN, as an assistant pastor. His
first assignment as pastor began in September 1966 at St. Mary
Presentation, Geneva, IN. July of 1970 found him on his way to
St. Aloysius in Yoder, IN, as the new pastor. In June of 1972,
Fr. Gene returned to St. Adalbert, South Bend, as pastor. After
many years of devoted service to his beloved people at St.
Adalbert, health issues required the less stressful and busy
lifestyle that St. Patrick, Walkerton, IN, offered. Fr. Gene
moved there in June of 1991. His final assignment in August of
1993 was to the country life at St. Stanislaus Kostka in New
Carlisle, IN.
Declining health brought about his
retirement in October 2000. The next five years of his life were
spent in retirement on the Mississippi River in Fulton, IL. June
of 2005 found him back home again in Indiana, living on the St.
Joseph River in South Bend. Fr. Gene was a strong voice and
expert in the Polish community. In 1982, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh
requested that Fr. Gene deliver an honorary Doctor of Laws degree
from Notre Dame to Lech Walesa of the Solidarity Party (Polish
Labor Movement.) A secret trip to Poland, still under Communist
rule, led to a visit to the local jail. As usual, Fr. Gene talked
his way out and accomplished the task. Fr. Gene was very active
in helping resettle Polish refugees in this area. Working with
the members of the Committee for a Free Poland, Fr. Gene helped
find sponsors for each refugee and located housing, household
goods, clothing and jobs. In the summer of 1987, Fr. Gene was
also directly involved when a Special Olympian from Poland wanted
to defect. He was given asylum at St. Adalbert Church. Fr. Gene
said later: "I was questioned so many times by the FBI that
I began to feel like a notorious criminal."
Father was devoted to his mother until her
death in 1996. This caring devotion was extended to all with whom
he came in contact. This compassionate and caring man loved his
people. When Fr. Gene was once asked why he became a priest, he
simply explained: "I wanted to do the work of Christ. What a
glorious privilege." Thank you, Fr. Gene, we were privileged
to have you in our lives. Fr. Gene leaves behind to cherish his
memory his friend, companion and caregiver of many years, Barbara
Mireles; her children and grandchildren, who many years
ago "adopted him as their own"; his many dear friends,
former parishioners and brother priests, especially the
ever-loyal Fr. Henry Byekwaso; a cousin, Robert (Carolyn) Barscz,
and their children, Dennis, David and Jacquelyn of East
Brunswick, New Jersey. His godmother, Marion Zohovetz of
East Brunswick, New Jersey, also survives him.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. today, August 3, 2007, in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S.
MAYFLOWER ROAD, where a Rosary will be prayed and led by Fr.
Daryl Rybicki at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will also be from 9:00 a.m.
to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2007, in the Cathedral of
St. Matthew. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Cremation and private committal will take place at St. Joseph
Cemetery, South Bend, at a later date.