Rev. Peter J. Nabozny, 87

A funeral Mass is being offered Jan. 8 at St. Mary's Church, Hudson, for Rev. Peter Nabozny, who died Jan. 4. He was 87 and had been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 62 years.

A native of Hudson, he served as associate pastor at Immaculate Conception parish in Corinth and St. Joseph's and Sacred Heart in Schenectady, and at St. Patrick's in Troy while teaching at Catholic Central High School in Troy. He was a teacher and guidance counselor at Notre Dame High School in Schenectady and then, for more than 30 years, pastor of St. Francis de Sales parish in Herkimer. He also served on the Diocesan School Board and was dean of Herkimer County. Retiring in 2000, he then provided weekend help in Corinth/Lake Luzerne, Glenville, Cohoes and Troy.

Father Nabozny always told The Evangelist that he considered himself "fortunate to have worked with young people in Catholic schools for 45 years." That was echoed by Sister Rosalie Kelley, CSJ, who remarked during her time as principal of St. Francis de Sales School in Herkimer that the priest was absolutely committed to Catholic education: "He supports the school and helps out in any way with advice."

Father Nabozny evidently hoped some of his young charges would enter religious life, too. "I have enjoyed a variety of ministries: assistant pastor, high school teacher, guidance counselor, pastor," he once told The Evangelist. "I recommend the priesthood to anyone who would rather serve than to be served, to give rather than to receive."

After many years of giving, it's his turn to receive. May the Lord welcome him into the heavenly kingdom.[[In-content Ad]]