March 10, 2018

OBITUARY: Father John C. Chwalek

REGIONAL

SPRINGFIELD – Father John C. Chwalek, 95, a priest of the Springfield Diocese and member of the Ordination Class of 1948, died on March 9, 2018 in Pittsfield. 

He was born on Oct. 7, 1922 in Indian Orchard, the son of the late John and Anna (Chrzan) Chwalek, and was a native of Immaculate Conception Parish there. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield, and then studied classics at St. Anselm’s College, Manchester, N.H. He then entered the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Canada, where he pursued his priestly studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Springfield on Jan. 24, 1948 by the late Springfield Bishop Thomas M. O’Leary. He celebrated 70 years as a priest this past Jan. 24.

Following his ordination, he served as an assistant pastor at Holy Rosary Parish, Hadley from 1948-1952; at Sacred Heart Parish in Easthampton from 1952-1965; at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Springfield from 1965-1966; and at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Adams, in 1966, at which time he began his 36 years of ministry there, serving as pastor beginning in 1970 until Aug. 15, 2002, when he retired.

His pastorate saw many improvements to the church, school, and cemetery properties, including a major renovation of the church for the 75th anniversary of the parish in 1977; the conversion of the church basement to the Kolbe Hall parish center; the establishment of the Shadow of the Cross grotto at St. Stanislaus Cemetery; and the Polanka picnic pavilion. 

Father Chwalek served the diocese on the Diocesan Building Commission from October 1988 to October 1989.

He retired to his home in Windsor, where he grew acres of blueberries that he sold, the proceeds of which went to various charities for the less fortunate. 

He is survived by his brother-in-law, Edward G. Perlak, of Ludlow, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his three brothers, including Msgr. Charles Chwalek, Edward Chwalek and Valentine Chwalek; and by his four sisters, including Helen Perlak, Rosalie Kairys, Sisters Mary Regina, CSSF, and Mary Laurette, CSSF. 

Father Chwalek will lie in repose at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 25 Hoosac St. Adams, Sunday, March 11, with calling hours from 3 to 6 p.m. 

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 12 at 11:30 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, celebrated by Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski. Burial will follow in the Chwalek family lot in St. Aloysius Cemetery, Indian Orchard. 

At Father Chwalek’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Stanislaus Kostka School, 108 Summer St., Adams, MA 01220.