A Mass of Christian burial for Deacon Norbert Lewis Gawedzinski was celebrated Feb. 7 at St. Cletus Parish in St. Charles. He died Feb. 1 at age 90.
Deacon Gawedzinski was born on Oct. 12, 1935. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate on June 12, 1993, by Bishop Edward O’Donnell. He served at Our Lady of Loretto parish in Spanish Lake and St. John the Beloved Disciple Parish in Imperial until his retirement on June 1, 2017. Deacon Gawedzinski proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1958-60, followed by four years in the Army Reserves.
In addition to performing the sacramental functions of a deacon, specifically assisting at Masses and preaching, conducting wake services, attending funerals and performing baptisms, Deacon Gawedzinski regularly brought Communion to the “shut-ins” of the parish and made visitations to the homebound and nursing home residents. He also assisted in transporting senior citizens to Mass.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara. They were blessed with one son, Kevin. Deacon Gawedzinski was the grandfather of Natalie, Kyle and Alison and great-grandfather of Rylan and Ellis.
