Fr. Benjamin John Hadrich

Fr. Benjamin John Hadrich, age 41, died on October 31, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at Essentia / St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN after a long battle with stroke related complications. Fr. Ben was born December 8, 1983, in Duluth, MN to John and Brenda (LeBlanc) Hadrich. He attended high school in McGregor, MN, the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN, St. John Vianney and St. Paul Seminaries, in St. Paul, MN.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul D. Sirba at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Duluth, MN on June 22, 2012.

Fr. Ben faithfully served as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Duluth and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gnesen; then as Pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and School, International Falls, St. Columban Church, Littlefork and as Chaplain at Stella Maris Academy.

He loved sports and participated in Cross-Country, Basketball, and Track. He completed over 20 consecutive Grandma’s Marathons, many triathlons, and a full Ironman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with family and friends.

Fr. Ben cherished his vocation as a priest. The celebration of the Mass and the reading of Scripture were the foundation of his daily life.

He suffered his first stoke in 2015 marching on through a battle with amyloid angiopathy and its multiple strokes and consequences slowly robbing his intellect and physical strength, but never his will to carry on as a priest of God.

When he could no longer run, he walked. When he could no longer walk, he relied on a wheelchair. And when memory and words began to fade, he still lifted an unsteady hand to impart a blessing in the powerful name of Jesus.

Fr. Ben is survived by his parents, John and Brenda Hadrich, his brothers Andrew (Michelle) and Mychal (Melissa), nieces and nephews John-Paul, Elizabeth, Lily, Lucia, and Chase; godmother aunt Linda (Mike) Hoffman, aunt Phyllis Bosiacki, extended family, brother priests, and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Richard and Elizabeth Hadrich, Herb and Clare LeBlanc, aunts Frances Houle and Evelyn (Deacon Ted) Windus, uncles Richard Hadrich and Herb M. Leblanc.

The visitation will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth, MN on Thursday, November 6, 2025, 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service from 6:30 -7:15 p.m. There will also be Adoration, Rosary, Evening Prayer and the Divine Mercy Chaplet from 7:30 - 12:00 a.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth, MN on Friday, November 7, 2025, 11 a.m. with visitation from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Duluth, MN.

A special thank you to Nirvana North for providing quality home care for the past year.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Fr. Ben can be sent to: Sentinel Activities, Stella Maris Academy 4321 Allendale Ave, Duluth, MN 55803 https://www.stellamaris.academy/give

St. Thomas Aquinas School, 810 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN. 56649, https://engage.suran.com/stthomasifalls/s/give/new-gift

Arrangements - Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, MN.