Monsignor Frank S. Warzocha

WEST RUTLAND — Monsignor Frank S. Warzocha died Aug. 10, 2012.

He was born in West Rutland on April 29, 1923, the son of Anthony and Mary (Byczek) Warzocha. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving with the Rainbow Division in the European theater.

After attending grammar school and high school in West Rutland, he received his bachelor of arts degree from St. Michael’s College in Colchester in 1950. He studied for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass., and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Burlington on Sept. 29, 1953, by Bishop Edward F. Ryan at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in West Rutland.

He served as a curate at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington (1953-1954), St. John the Evangelist in Northfield (1954-1955), St. Francis of Assisi in Windsor (1955-1961), Immaculate Heart of Mary in Rutland (1961-1964) and St. Stanislaus Kostka in West Rutland (1964-1969).

He became a pastor at St. Joachim Parish in Readsboro (1969-1973), followed by pastorates at St. Raphael in Poultney (1973-1985) and St. Stanislaus Kostka in West Rutland (1985-2010). He was granted senior priest status in December 2010.

He served as a District Director of Vocations, Dean of the Rutland Deanery, a member of the College of Consultors, and as the longtime treasurer of the Priest’s Benefit Fund. On Aug. 25, 2008, he was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI, with the title Monsignor.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother John; his sister Frances Tomaszewski and his sister Josephine Czachor of Rutland.

He is survived by his brother Adam of Meadville, Pa.; his brother Joseph of West Rutland; and nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in West Rutland on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 2:30 p.m. The Most Rev. Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the family lot in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland and West Rutland.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.