Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Edgar S. Szymanski, CSC

Feb. 4, 1914 - Dec. 8, 1998

South Bend Tribune 12/9/1998

Father Edgar S. Szymanski, CSC, 84, a native of South Bend, Ind., died early Tuesday morning, Dec. 8, in Holy Cross House, South Bend, Ind. Father Szymanski was born to Anthony and Mary Anne Szymanski on Feb. 4, 1914, in South Bend.

He attended St. Casimir's school and graduated from Holy Cross Seminary in 1931. After a year at St. Joseph's Novitiate, he professed his first vows July 2, 1932, and three years later, his final vows on Aug. 16, 1935. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1936 with a degree in Philosophy, he studied theology at Holy Cross College, Washington, D.C. While there, he suffered a long illness with tuberculosis which delayed his ordination until 1943. Following his ordination at Notre Dame by Bishop John F. Noll, he completed his theological studies and began a long life of ministry. He was a chaplain at Holy Cross Novitiate, North Dartmouth, Mass., and at St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas.

During 1946-50, he was an assistant at St. Hedwig's Parish, South Bend; 1950-51, chaplain at Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, Ohio; 1951-59, chaplain at Boysville, Clinton, Mich.; then from 1959-67, chaplain at Sacred Heart Military Academy, Watertown, Wis. After two years as an assistant as Holy Trinity Parish, Chicago, Ill., he served for five years at his home parish, St. Casimir's, and for four at St. Stanislaus, both in South Bend. While in residence from 1982-93 at Holy Cross Mission House, Notre Dame, he remained active assisting mostly in Polish parishes and especially at St. John the Baptist Parish. Since 1993, he has lived at Holy Cross House where he died. Fr. Szymanski is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today in the Chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, Ind.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Ind. Burial will follow in the Holy Cross Community Cemetery. Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.