Submitted by: Dan Rich

Brother Joseph Walter Olszowka CSC

Dec. 11, 1911 - June 19, 2008

South Bend Tribune 6/21/2008
SOUTH BEND - Brother Joseph Walter (Stanley) Olszowka, CSC, 96, a longtime teacher and administrator died at Dujarie House, Notre Dame. He was born in the town of Wola Rzedzinska, Poland, to Paul and Agnes (Sowa) Olszowka in 1911. At the age of three he immigrated with his family to the south side of Chicago where the family attended St. Casimir Parish. After High School, he worked for the Addressograph Corporation in Chicago and joined the Brothers of Holy Cross in 1932, making his final profession in August 1937. His apostolic life was filled with a variety of experiences. He was a bookkeeper at the Ave Maria Press for two years, worked in the Notre Dame post office, and served as a prefect in halls while studying at Notre Dame, where he earned a degree in business communications and an M.S. in education in 1949. Br. Joseph was a popular teacher of business courses and an effective administrator. He taught at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans for a year, seven years at Vincentian Institute in Albany, NY, and became assistant principal at Holy Trinity High School in his hometown of Chicago in 1951. The next year, he served as a popular principal at Holy Trinity for six years. He was assistant principal at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis for a year before serving, in 1959, as treasurer at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, for 10 years. He was then called back to Chicago to be assistant principal at Holy Trinity for six years. In 1976, he joined the faculty of Holy Cross Junior College for 12 years until 1988 and spent a years as the business manager of St. Joseph's High School in South Bend.

In 1989 he returned to Chicago, serving on the staff at Holy Cross High School in River Grove, as well as being the Brothers' community director for two years. Even though he was of retirement age, Br. Joseph felt it was important to "send a check" to the provincial office to help in earning a salary for the community. He served as a clerk in sales kiosks at O'Hare Airport for two years, was a security officer in a parking garage in the Loop for six years, and volunteered at Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center for eight years. He enjoyed taking a variety of Chicago buses and trains to get to each job. In 2005, Br. Joseph took up residence at Schubert Villa at Notre Dame and for the past two years at Dujarie House. He was noted as the "best dressed resident," always neatly attired in an attractive tie, he had more than 30 to choose from. His wit and overall good nature served him well over the years. His pleasant smile and cheerful personality were evident to all who lived with him. We are blessed with his this man's talent and good example of leading a full and generous life.

The funeral will be held on Monday, June 23, 2008 at Dujarie House (Our Lady of Holy Cross Chapel) on the grounds of the Brothers of Holy Cross campus. The viewing will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by the Christian Mass of the Resurrection at 2 p.m.