Br. Dennis (Edward) Sokolowski, OFM Conv.

Br. Dennis Sokolowski (born Edward Walter), OFM Conv., 89, a Franciscan Friar Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province, was greeted by Sister Death on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Enfield CT.

Born in the small coal town of Nanticoke PA on October 16, 1933, he was a son of the late Leon and Salomeja "Sally" (nee Ostrowski) Sokolowski. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Br. Dennis spent his early years in Nanticoke, where he graduated high school in 1951. While in school, he spent time working at a local jewelry shop, as well as dabbling at tending bar at the family-owned tavern, operated by his mother and eldest brother.

After graduating high school, Br. Dennis completed a year of undergraduate studies at King's College in Wilkes-Barre PA, before beginning seminary studies at Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg MD, where he earned his B.A. in Philosophy in 1957.

Between 1957-1960, Br. Dennis served two years in the United States Army, where he was an Infantry Sergeant at the time of his honorable discharge, and nine months in the Army National Guard of Pennsylvania, where he was an artilleryman.

In 1960, Br. Dennis joined the Franciscan Friars Conventual, completing his Novitiate in Ellicott City, MD, where he made his first profession of vows on August 15, 1961. He then spent two years at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, NY, before requesting permission to pursue the religious Brotherhood. Between 1963-1971, Br. Dennis was a teaching friar at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, making his Solemn Profession on August 15, 1964. In 1969, he began a two-year stint as Assistant Vocation Director.

In 1971, Br. Dennis moved to Granby, MA, where he was Director of Brothers' Formation until 1976, when he moved to St. Francis of Assisi Friary (the then Provincial House of the former Saint Anthony of Padua Province). In 1979, Br. Dennis became the first religious Brother in Province history to be elected a Guardian.

In 1982, he returned to Granby, where he served one year as the Associate Director of the Franciscan Mission Association (FMA). He then moved to Shamokin, PA, spending eleven years doing pastoral ministry at St. Stephen's parish. After leaving Shamokin, he continued this pastoral ministry for nine years in Stafford Springs CT. Between 2003-2010, Br. Dennis worked in the Senior Friars Residence in Chicopee MA, first as the Assistant and then as Administrator, before becoming a resident in 2010. In 2022, he transitioned to Our Lady of the Angels Care Center in Enfield CT.

A Franciscan Wake Service will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Care Center (1315 Enfield St., Enfield CT) on Tuesday, August 29 at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Care Center on Wednesday, August 30 at 10:00am. Internment will follow, at a later date to be determined, at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Nanticoke PA.