Stachewicz, Henry J., Msgr.
(1921 - 2008)By Jennifer Moskal
A Catholic priest for 61 years and former pastor of St. Augustine Church in Depew, died in Harris Hill Nursing Facility, Lancaster, after a brief illness. He was 87.
The Buffalo native was a graduate of St. John Kanty High School in Erie, Pa., and St. Mary's College in Orchard Lake, Mich. He did his theological studies at Ss. CyriI & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., and at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University.
Monsignor Stachewicz was ordained to the priesthood in 1947 by Bishop John 0'Hara in St. Joseph New Cathedral.
After a brief assignment to the missionary apostolate, he was appointed assistant pastor of Assumption Parish in 1948. From 1950 to 1961, he served as an assistant pastor at parishes in Buffalo, Jamestown, Batavia and Depew.
He stayed in Depew at St. Augustine Church for 14 years, first as assistant pastor, then as administrator.
He received his first pastorale in 1966 at St.Valentine Church in Buffalo. He then became pastor of St. Andrew in Sloan, a post he held for 12 years before returning to St. Augustine, where he served as pastor until his retirement in 1997.
Monsignor Stachewicz was named an honorary prelate of His Holiness in 1980. He also had served as vice chaplain of the Polish Union of America.
Source: Polish American Journal, November 2008, Vol. 97, No. 11.