WARREN — Reverend Matthew J. Strumski, 96, Pastor Emeritus and last Pastor of the former St. Casimir Parish, Warren, died on August 3, 2019.
Born in Providence, son of the late John and Frances (Baniukiewicz) Strumski, he attended parochial and public schools and Hope High School in Providence.
In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick Neck and at St. Mary and SS. Cyril and Methodius seminaries in Orchard Lake, Michigan.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Providence on May 22, 1948 in the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fall River, Massachusetts, by Bishop James E. Cassidy.
Father Strumski served as assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish, Carolina (1948); St. Mary Parish, Providence (1948-50); St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Woonsocket (1950-51); St. Joseph Parish, Central Falls (1954-55); Blessed Sacrament Parish, Providence (1963-67); Sacred Heart Parish, Pawtucket (1967-71) and St. Mary Parish, Pawtucket (1971-72).
In May 1951, he became a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy and served in various posts in the U.S. and overseas (including Korea) until 1954.
From 1956 to 1958, Father Strumski served at the Novitiate of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in Barre, Massachusetts, followed by five years of ministry in the Diocese of Marquette (Michigan).
In 1972, Father Strumski was appointed pastor of St. Casimir Parish, Warren, and remained there until his retirement as Pastor Emeritus in 2005.
Father Strumski lived at the Villa at St. Antoine in North Smithfield for several years before his death.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial for the repose of his soul was held on August 8 at St. Mary of the Bay Church, Warren, with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presiding. Monsignor Albert Kenny was the principal celebrant and Father Albert Marcello was the homilist with other clergy concelebrating the funeral Mass.
Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.
