Obituary of Joseph Palubeski

Fr. Joseph Martin John Palubeski, CR It is with great sadness that the Congregation of the Resurrection announces the death of Father Joseph Palubeski, CR on December 3, 2011 due to a brain tumour. He was in his 73rd year and his 54th year of religious life. Fr. Palubeski, son of the late Dominic and Stella Palubeski, (nee Coulas) was born in Woodstock, Ontario on June 1, 1939. Fr Palubeski is survived by his sisters Beverly (Joseph) Sieber of Kitchener and Marylin (Ronald) Strauss of Waterloo and 5 nieces and 1 nephew. Fr. Joe is predeceased by his parents, his brother Donald and one niece in infancy. From the time Fr. Joe was a small child, he grew up attending Sacred Heart Church, Kitchener under the care of the C.R`s and on September 8, 1958 Fr. Joe professed his first vows in the Congregation of the Resurrection. Fr. Joe attended St. Peter`s Seminary in London and obtained his BA in Honors Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario in 1962. He continued his theological studies at St. John Cantius Seminary in St. Louis Missouri, from 1962 to 1966, and on March 26, 1966, he was ordained to the priesthood in St. Louis, Missouri. From 1966 to 1983, Fr. Joe taught Business and Commerce, Mathematics and Religion at three different High Schools: St. Jerome`s High School, Kitchener, St. John`s College, Brantford, and Scollard Hall North Bay College, North Bay. Fr. Joe served on OECTA in Brantford and North Bay. In 1978, he obtained a Masters in Education from the University of Toronto. He served as secretary to the CR General Councils in 1981 and 1993. He was appointed Associate Pastor of Holy Name Church in North Bay in 1983, and then served as Pastor there from 1984 to 1993. Fr. Joe accepted a posting in Stony Hill, Jamaica as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish and four missions, for the next seven years. He was an active member of the youth commission for the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica. From 2000 to 2003, he served as Pastor at Guardian Angels Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Fr. Joe was called to serve as Pastor at St. Anthony`s Parish in Warwick, Bermuda for two years. Since 2005, Fr. Joe had been the Rector of St. Theresa`s Cathedral in Hamilton, Bermuda. Fr. Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus - 4th degree. Fr. Joe was well known for his generosity and zeal in his ministry. He demonstrated a consistent quality of commitment and fidelity to the values of religious life, which enabled him to touch the lives of many people during his life of faithful service. Visitation for Fr. Palubeski will take place at Sacred Heart Parish, 66 Shanley Street, Kitchener on Wednesday, December 7th from 2-4 pm and 7 - 9 pm. A Vigil Service will be held at 8:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish on Thursday, December 8th at 10:00 am. Interment at Resurrectionist Community Plot at Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener. Reception to follow at 12 noon at Sacred Heart Parish. Donations in Fr. Palubeski`s memory may be made payable to the Congregation of the Resurrection, (Retirement Fund), 265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G7, or arranged through the Erb and Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo, 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com