Rev. Chester R. Mrowka, CM OBITUARY
Reverend Chester Roch Mrowka, CM, 97 years old, was born in New Haven, Connecticut on June 22, 1927. He was the sixth son of Frank and Rose (Koszewska) Mrowka. Besides his parents, his brothers Benny, Walter, Steve, Joe and Bill pre-deceased him. Also, beloved nieces and nephews pre-deceased him.
After his service in the Navy during World War II, he prepared for priestly ordination at the Vincentian Seminary of Mary Immaculate in Northampton, Pennsylvania. He was ordained on May 23, 1959, by Bishop John A. O’Shea, CM, the exiled Bishop of Kanchow, China. This year, Father Chester observed his 65th anniversary as a priest.
His priestly ministry took him from his parish life in Brooklyn, New York and Ansonia, Connecticut to seventeen years of teaching at St. John Kanty Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania. After a brief stint of study in Rome, Italy, he returned to Kanty as Rector of the School and Superior of the Religious Community which staffed the school.
Completing his term of office at Kanty Prep, Father Chester became pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Ansonia, Connecticut for four years. From there, he was assigned as Pastor of St. Peter’s Parish in Concord, New Hampshire.
After four years at St. Peter’s, Father Chester returned to Connecticut following his election to serve as the Provincial of the New England Vincentian Community. After completion of his maximum nine-year term of office, he was appointed to serve as the Provincial Treasurer for the next twelve years.
While residing at the new DePaul Residence of the Vincentian Community in Manchester, Connecticut, he regularly assisted at the nearby Assumption Parish for nearly fifteen years. At the age of 80, health conditions required Father Chester to retire from all duties, and he remained at the Provincial Residence until the end of his life. Father Chester died on July 5, 2024.
A time of visitation will be on Tuesday, July 9, at 10:30 AM, at the Little Sisters of the Poor, Saint Joseph Residence, 1365 Enfield St, Enfield, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at All Saints Cemetery, North Haven, CT. The John F. Tierney Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.
