Wilkes-Barre, PA, Feb 7 -- Death yesterday claimed the Rev T A Klonowski, 62, pastor of St Mary's Polish Catholic church this city at the rectory on Park avenue. Father Klonowski was one of the most beloved priests in the Scranton diocese and his death was a shock to everyone. Father Klonowski was born in Poland. After coming to the United States he studied at St Vincent's Theological seminary and was ordained to the priesthood in St Peter's cathedral, Scranton, by the late Bishop William O'Hara and assigned to Vosburg (sic) parish, where he was stationed three years. He was later assigned as assistant to Father Nagle at St Nicholas' church, remaining there until he became pastor of St Mary's. The funeral will be held Thursday morning with a solemn high pontifical mass of requiem by Bishhop Hoban in St Mary's church at 10 o'clock. The body will lie in state Wednesday.
Scranton (PA) Times , Thurs 11 Feb 1921
Wilkes-Barre, Pa, Feb 11 -- St Mary's Polish Catholic church was too small to house the thousands who gathered there yesterday morning for the funeral of the Rev T A Klonowski, for years pastor of the church. In the congregation were judges of the Luzerne county court, Wilkes-Barre officials and others who are among the most representative people of the Wyoming valley. Burial was made in Georgetown cemetery. Bishop Hoban read the devine office which preceded the celebration of solemn requiem mass. The bishop preached, as did the Rev Stanley Szpotanski, of Priceburg, who served Father Klonowski on the altar at Blossburg. The officers of the mass were: Celebrant, Rev Henry Klonowski; deacon, Rev V L Biczysko, Nanticoke; subdeacon, Rev V Matuziewski,
[photo] George Lasky, son of M/M George Lasky Sr, 1124 Loomis Ave, will be ordained to the priesthood of the Pittsburgh Byzantine diocese, Thurs 23 Apr in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Byzantine, Pittsburgh, by Bishop Nicholas T Elko. Member of St John's Greek Catholic church, Broadway & Fourth Ave. Two other members of the parish were ordained in the past 3 years: Rev Andrew N Vaida, pastor of St Stephen's, Euclid OH, & Rev E Paul Bovankovich, asst vice chancellor at the diocesan office in Pittsburgh. Also to ordained on 23 Apr, is Pittston native, Paul F Fetch. Scranton public schools; BA in philosophy from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, in 1955; SS Cyril & Methodius seminary. Taking post grad class in education at Duquesne. Subdeaconate 25 Mar 1957; deaconate 6 Dec 1958. Was altar boy at St John's for 9 years; Boy Scout troop 78; Holy Name Society. Brother John & sister Mary. Will celebrate first mass at St John's on Sun 26 Apr.
Scranton (PA) Times , Thur 4 Dec 1986
Rev George Lasky, retired pastor of SS Peter & Paul Byzantine, Duquesne, Allegheny County, died 24 Nov at his home in West Mifflin, where he lived since retirement a year ago. Born in Scranton, son of George & Anna Kostyo Lasky, attended Taylor public schools & was divinity student at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS Cyril & Methodius, Pittsburgh. BA from Duquesne University & ordained 23 Apr 1959. Served at St Mary's , New York City; St Nicholas', Youngstown OH; St Jude's, Ernest, Indiana County; and a mission of St Jude's in Coal Run PA. Chaplain to the Sisters of St Basil the Great, St Basil's Home for the Aged, and Mount Macrina Nursing Home, all in Uniontown, Fayette County. Was pastor of SS Peter & Paul, Duquesne, & St John's, Avella, Washington County. Survived by brother, John Lasky of Hackensack NJ. Pontifical Divine Liturgy was celebrated 29 Nov in SS Peter & Paul, Duquesne, by metropolitan archbishop, Most Rev Stephen J Kocisko. Interment, SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, West Mifflin.
[Editorial] It was 10 years ago yesterday that the Most Rev George L Leech was consecrated at Philadelphia as the Auxiliary Bishop of Harrisburg. Yesterday, Bishop Leech, who for almost a full 10 years has administered the diocese of Harrisburg -- having assumed the duties when Bishop McDevitt died on Armistice Day, 11 Nov 1935 -- rounded out, with with appropriate ceremonies, his 10 years as Bishop of the diocese. Only a few months ago he marked his 25th year as a priest with quiet religious service as he visited relatives in this community. All of which is of widespread interest in Wyoming Valley, for Bishop Leech is a native of Ashley, the son of William Dillon and Helen Fitzimons Leech. He is a graduaate of Hanover Township High School and St Charles Seminary and was ordained 29 May 1920 by Dennis Cardinal Dougherty in the Cathedral of Philadelphia. Many honors and important posts have come to him. He served as secretary of the Apostolic Delegation in Washington. Afterward he became rector of St Patrick's, Pottsville. Pope Pius XI selected him as a private chamberlain in 1925, and domestic prelate in 1934. He was spiritual director of the Regional Holy Name Union and moderator of Ecclesiastical Conferences. From time to time, in non-ecclesiastical circles, are heard reports that Bishop Leech sooner or later might be transferred or promoted to another post or office in his church. This much is definitely known, he is held in highest esteem by the members of his diocese. The high standing he has with authorities in the Church is clearly shown by the honors which have come to him.
The Gettysburg (PA) Times , Weds 13 Mar 1985
Harrisburg (AP) [photo] The Most Rev George L Leech, 94, the oldest American bishop of the Roman Catholic Church died late Tues night. Retired bishop of diocese of Harrisburg, covering 15 counties in central and eastern PA. Present bishop, William H Keeler. Admitted to Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, Sunday. No cause of death announced. Funeral details to be announced. Born 21 May 1890 in Ashley, Luzerne Co; St Charles Seminary, Overbrook; Catholic University of Americ in directors
[photos] Wyoming Valley Chapter of American Red Cross announced two new directors, EC Stegmaier, Wyoming Ave, Kingston, first vice president of Stegmaier Brewing Co, and Rev Walter Losieniecki, newly-appointed pastor of St Mary's Church on Park Ave. ... succeeds Msgr J J Kowalewski, former pastor of St Mary's, as director. Born in Blossburg; St Mary's College and Seminary in Michigan; 3 years at Catholic University; Ordained 1923; served as asst pastor at St Mary's in Mt Pocono and later at a parish in Scranton. Returned to Catholic University for a year; Holy Family in Sugar Notch, where he was asst for several years. First pastorate at St Mary's in Mocanaqua; St Adalbert's, G;en Lyon; St Peter & Paul, Scranton, where he was stationed the last seven years.