Reverend Daniel David Olszewski, 90, of Laflin, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 28th at his home. Born in Plains Twp., October 13th, 1926, he was the son of the late Alex and Sophia (Mohelski) Olszewski.
Father received his early education at Plains Memorial High School, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston and St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland. Father entered the seminary at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, Maryland where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1947. Father went on to study theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, where he earned his Bachelor of Sacred Theology in June of 1949 and his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in May of 1951. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1951 in Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton by the Most Reverend William Joseph Hafey, late Bishop of Scranton.
Father Olszewski served as assistant pastor at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tunkhannock; St. Therese Church, Shavertown; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mayfield; Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dupont; and, V.A. at St. Michael’s Church, Glen Lyon. He was assigned his first pastorate at Sacred Heart Church in Forest City on January 28, 1970, where he served until September 9, 1975 when he was appointed Pastor of SS Peter and Paul Church in Scranton. Father served at SS Peter and Paul until his next appointment as Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus in Dupont on January 24, 1985, where he remained until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus on July 6, 1999.
Father found the most rewarding aspects of his priestly assignments to be administration of the Sacraments, teaching in the parish C.C.D. program, and instructing individuals in their journey to prospective conversion to the Catholic faith. Father also spoke the Polish language which allowed him to minister to the Polish speaking of his congregations where language barriers were an issue.
In addition to his parents, Father Olszewski is preceded in death by his brothers, Paul Peter Olszewski and the Honorable Peter Paul Olszewski.
Father Olszewski is survived by his nieces and nephews, Attorney Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. and his wife, Attorney Melissa Scartelli, Rachel Olszewski, Paul Peter Olszewski II and his wife, Lisa, Casey Olszewski, John Olszewski and his wife, Jaclyn, Alec Olszewski and Mary Olszewski Hoda and her husband, Paul. Also surviving are great-nieces and nephews Aaron, Ethan, and Hillary Hoda and his caretaker, Theresa Dobrowolski.
Viewing will take place on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 215 Lackawanna Avenue, Dupont. Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 8:00 p.m. following the viewing.
A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 215 Lackawanna Avenue, Dupont, PA. Interment will be in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Plains.