Date of death: 12/12/2018
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1963
The Reverend Jerome F. Nowakowski, a Senior Status priest of the Diocese of Toledo, passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Toledo. Born on June 4, 1934 in Toledo, he was the son of the late Vincent and Martha (Przybylski) Nowakowski. Fr. Jerry attended the former Nativity Parish grade school, the former Macomber High School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1954. He then attended St. Meinrad Minor Seminary in Indiana, and received his BA degree from St. MaryÆs College in Orchard Lake Michigan. He received his theology degree from St. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in 1963.Fr. Jerry was ordained in Toledo on May 25, 1963 by the late Most Rev. George Rehring in St. Hyacinth Church. He served as Associate Pastor of the Toledo parishes of Regina Coeli, St. Hedwig, St. Patrick of Heatherdowns, St. Adalbert, Good Shepherd, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Louis. His Pastorates included St. Stephen, St. StephenÆs, St. Aloysius, Republic, St. Anthony, Toledo, St. Stanislaus, Toledo, the former Nativity, Toledo, St. Peter, Upper Sandusky, St. Mary, Kirby, and Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, now Holy Family Parish in North Baltimore.Fr. Jerry made a Cursillo (spiritual walk through piety, study and action) in September of 1969 at the former Divine Word Seminary. He also became active in the charismatic renewal in March of 1970 at St. Thomas Parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His last pastoral assignment before retirement was Associate Pastor of the then EMMAUS cluster of parishes on the east side of Toledo: Good Shepherd, St. Thomas, and St. Louis Parishes. He received Senior Priest Status in July 2004. In retirement he remained active with pastoral duties at St. Vincent Medical Center, St. Charles Hospital and wherever he was needed. Fr, Jerry was preceded in death by his brother Vincent Nowakowski; and sisters Patricia Skoczyn and Shirley Nowakowski. He is survived by his nephew and primary care giver David (Kimberly) Skoczyn; great-nephew David (Alexis Westphal) Skoczyn; great-niece Katelyn (Zachary Powers) Skoczyn; and many more nieces and nephews.