Tim Vakoc, passed away on Jun 20, 2009.
Obituary
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Rev. Tim Vakoc, a Minnesota priest who was gravely wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq five years ago, has died, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Sunday. He was 49.
Vakoc, who was believed to be the first military chaplain wounded in Iraq, died at a nursing home in suburban New Hope on Saturday. The cause of death was not immediately released.
Vakoc was an Army chaplain on May 29, 2004, when the blast cost him an eye and severely damaged his brain as he was returning from celebrating Mass with troops near Mosul.
"A man of peace, he chose to endure the horror of war in order to bring the peace of Christ to America's fighting men and women," Archbishop John Nienstedt said in a statement. "He has been an inspiration to us all and we will miss him. We ask everyone to remember him in prayer."
The major was hospitalized for four months at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washingt on, and was transferred in a near coma to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis in October 2004.
After many surgeries and infections, he slowly started to recognize friends and family, and began to communicate with squeezes of the hand or slight smiles. In the fall of 2006, he spoke for the first time in 2½ years.
Vakoc, a Robbinsdale native, served as a parish priest before becoming an Army chaplain in 1996, and serving in Germany and Bosnia. He shipped out to Iraq shortly before his 44th birthday.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
Hi, is there any of Fr Tim's family who check this site? I desire to send a picture of his Army chaplain flag to them. I joined the Army as a Chaplain in 2004 with the 44th Corps Support Battalion. I've carried his flag for nearly 20 years now and want to share some with his family.
Chris Wallace
September 18, 2023 | South Bend, IN | Coworker
Fr Tim May you rest in God's eternal peace. You are still remembered in this my parish church---even today.
CH (MAJ) Stuart Kenworthy vet.
OIF 05-06
Rector, Christ Church, Georgetown
(Episcopal)
Washington DC
(
Fr. Stuart kenworthy
June 27, 2013 | Washington DC, DC
I am so saddened by the loss of Chaplain Vakoc. Hours before his trip to the palace to celebrate mass he still found the time to visit us while we were working to see how our spirits were and if he could provide comfort or assistance. If ever a person had found his calling and followed it with every bit of his spirit it was our chaplain. I am honored to have served with him.
1SG Michael Martinez
October 28, 2010 | Roy, WA
I'm not a very religious person.... but Chaplain Vakoc touched my life in the Army, and I have never forgotten him. I have followed his progress off and on over the years since his injury and was saddened to read of his death. I don't pray, but will send out good vibes into the universe for Father Tim. May you always find happiness in your continued journies.....
David Urrutia
August 18, 2010 | Livermore, CA
I never met Father Tim. But I did meet his Mother in July 04 at Walter Reed Army Hospital. My Mom was in the room next to him. I will never forget her and the peace and comfort she gave me about my Mothers condition. My Mom did'nt make it, but Knowing that she was next to Father Tim gave me and my family a sense of comfort. Now my son is in Iraq on his 2nd tour. He was at Walter Reed with me and my family during Father Tim's rehabilitation.
James Dumbravo
March 20, 2010 | Lewisville, TX
thats a shame
uj88j 89k
July 11, 2009 | 9k9k, ME
What a brave soul: putting others before him. Now, God has put him before many other...good and faithful servant. May the angels come to greet you and take you to the House of the Lord.
Guadalupe Ramos Jasso
July 11, 2009 | San Antonio, TX
What a good and brave soul. Tim was a Hero in life and now he is an Angel with God. I Pray that God comforts his family and friends.
Paula Roberts
July 11, 2009 | Hilmar, CA
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Psalms 116
Michael Murray
July 10, 2009 | San Mateo, CA