Rev. Edward Sokolowski

R everend Edward Valentine Sokolowski, pastor emeritus of St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Swoyersville, now Holy Name/Saint Mary’s Church, died on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at his home in Mountain Top.
Father Sokolowski, a 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, New York, and attended St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, MI, and the University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
His studies for the priesthood were completed at St. Peter’s Seminary, London, Ontario. Father 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, Father 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 January 7, 1946, and later was appointed assistant pastor at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, Swoyersville, on June 22, 1948.
One year later, Father 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 September 20, 1949.
After serving there for nearly two years, Father was appointed assistant pastor at the Church of St. Cecilia, Exeter, on January 31, 1951. After serving at St. Cecilia’s for nearly seven years, Father Sokolowski was appointed to his first pastorate at the Church of St. Martin, Tours, Jackson, on October 17, 1958.
Father remained there as pastor for nine years, at which time he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. Mary of Czestochowa, Swoyersville, on September 14, 1967. Father remained there until retirement on June 22, 1992, at which time he was named pastor emeritus.
Father Sokolowski is survived by a brother Casimir; and sister Mrs. Eleanor Lewczyk, both of Natrona Heights, PA; sister Geraldine Toone, Forked River, NJ; and several nieces and nephews.
Viewing will take place at Holy Name/St. Mary’s Church, 283 Shoemaker St., Swoyersville, on Sunday, March 11, 2007, from 4 to 6 p.m. A vigil Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name/St. Mary’s Church, Swoyersville, Sunday, March 11, 2007, at 7 p.m. 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, March 12, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Holy Name/St. Mary’s Church, Swoyersville. Viewing will also take place from 9:30 a.m. Monday until the 11 a.m. funeral Mass. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Twp.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.