Father Walter S. Florczyk, Jr. passed away on January 21, 2025. He was 88 years old.
Born on the east side of Syracuse, Fr. Florczyk’s family worshiped at Transfiguration Church, known in the area for its Eastern European heritage.
Father’s preparatory and seminary studies were completed in Orchard Lake, Michigan, at Saints Cyril & Methodius Seminary, which has a rich history of preparing seminarians of Eastern European, mainly Polish, descent for the priesthood.
He was ordained in May 1962. His priestly service began as a temporary assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Church in Cleveland on the north shore of Oneida Lake before being named assistant at Holy Trinity parish in Utica. He served in the same position at Transfiguration Church in Rome, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Syracuse and as an associate pastor, returning to Utica’s Holy Trinity parish.
He was also named pastor of St. Francis Church in Lacona and was administrator of St. Joseph’s in Oriskany Falls.
Ordained 62 years, the Diocese of Syracuse is grateful for Father Florczyk’s faithful service as a priest and his caring ministry among so many people throughout the diocese. Following his wishes, there will be no public funeral.
