Rev. Edward Valentine Sokolowski

The Rev. Edward Valentine Sokolowski, pastor emeritus of St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Swoyersville, now Holy Name/St. Mary's Church, died Thursday at his home in Mountain Top.

The Rev. Sokolowski, son of the late Charles J. and Josephine Bobowicz Sokolowski, was born in Nanticoke on April 29, 1917.

He was a graduate of St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, N.Y., and attended St. Mary's College, Orchard Lake, Mich., and the University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada. His studies for the priesthood were completed at St. Peter's Seminary, London, Ontario.

The Rev. Sokolowski was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1944, in Scranton, by the Most Rev. William J. Hafey, D.D., late Bishop of Scranton.

Following ordination, the Rev. Sokolowski served as assistant pastor at the Church of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wilkes-Barre. From there, he was appointed assistant pastor at the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dickson City, on Jan. 7, 1946, and later was appointed assistant pastor at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Swoyersville, on June 22, 1948.

One year later, the Rev. Sokolowski returned as assistant pastor at the Church of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wilkes-Barre, on June 23, 1949, and shortly thereafter was appointed assistant pastor at the Church of St. Ann, Tobyhanna, on Sept. 20, 1949. After serving there for nearly two years, the Rev. Sokolowski was appointed assistant pastor at the Church of St. Cecilia, Exeter, on Jan. 31, 1951.

After serving at St. Cecilia's for nearly seven years, the Rev. Sokolowski was appointed to his first pastorate at the Church of St. Martin of Tours, Jackson, on Oct. 17, 1958. He remained there as pastor for nine years, at which time he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. Mary of Czestochowa, Swoyersville, on Sept. 14, 1967. He remained there until retirement on June 22, 1992, at which time he was named pastor emeritus.

The Rev. Sokolowski is survived by a brother, Casimir; sister, Eleanor Lewczyk, both of Natrona Heights; sister, Geraldine Toone, Forked River, N.J.; several nieces and nephews.

A viewing will take place Sunday, 4 to 6 p.m., at Holy Name/St. Mary's Church, 283 Shoemaker St., Swoyersville. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated Sunday at 7 p.m. in Holy Name/St. Mary's Church, Swoyersville, with the Rev. John Lapera, dean, presiding.

A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton, on Monday at 11 in Holy Name/St. Mary's Church, Swoyersville. A viewing will also take place Monday, 9:30 until the Funeral Mass at 11. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.