REV. MSGR. John Szymanski

1931 - 2018

REV. MSGR. JOHN B. SZYMANKSI, Born on September 11, 1931 in Trenton, NJ to the late John F. & Bertha V. Szymanski. He lived at the Maria Regina Residence for retired priests of the Diocese of Metuchen, Somerset, after his retirement until his death on June 28, 2018. Monsignor studied for the Priesthood at St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, MI, and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Mahwah. NJ. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Trenton on May 25, 1957 in St. Anthony Church, Trenton. Earned a Master of Theology Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Monsignor served as a parochial vicar in the following parishes: Sacred Heart, South Amboy; Holy Cross, Trenton; All Saints, Burlington; St. Rose of Lima, Freehold; and St. Thomas the Apostle, Old Bridge. Named administrator of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Old Bridge, in 1969 and then pastor of the parish in 1973. He retired as pastor of St. Thomas Parish in August 2007. He served in St. Thomas Parish for a total of 40 years. In retirement he served as administrator of Saint James the Less in Jamesburg. Served in many diocesan capacities as a priest of Trenton and the Diocese of Metuchen, which was established in November 1981. In the Diocese of Metuchen he served at different times as Chancellor, Vicar for Administration, and Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. He also served on numerous committees, boards, and commissions. From July to December 1986 he was the administrator of the Diocese of Metuchen during the interim between bishops. His book, The Lighting of the Watchfires, is the definitive history of the establishment and first five years of the Diocese of Metuchen. He also wrote the history of Saint Thomas the Apostal Parish, Toward New Horizons. He was named Prelate of Honor of His Holiness, with title of Reverend Monsignor, by Pope John Paul II in 1979, and a Protonotary Apostolic by Pope John Paul II in 2004. He is predeceased by his siblings Mitchell F. Szymanski and Gertrude Lawton. Surviving are his niece Victoria and her husband Robert Kent of Hamilton, N.J. Monsignor Szymanski’s body will be received by Reverend Monsignor William Benwell at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, Route 18 South, Old Bridge, on Monday July 2nd. Public visitation will follow until 7:15p.m. Reverend Timothy A. Christy, VG will preside at the Mass of Commemoration at 7:30p.m. with Monsignor Benwell being the homilist. Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski, Bishop Emeritus, will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday July 3, at 11:00a.m. also at Saint Thomas Church with Reverend Robert G. Lynam being the homilist. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick. In Lieu of flowers donations in Msgr Szymanski’s name can be made to Catholic Charities 319 Maple Street, Perth Amboy N.J. 08861. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Spezzi & Maliszewski Funeral Homes. Letters of condolence to the family, completed arrangements and directions may be found at www.spezzifuneralhome.com or www.maliszewskifuneralhome.com