Reverend Robert-Bohdan S. Piorkowski, J.C.O.L. of Madison, Illinois, passed away at 9:55 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at his home. He was born December 24, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, a son of the late Alphonse and Stefania (Wydro) Piorkowski. Robert is survived by a sister, Diane I. (Piorkowski) Kozlowski; other extended family and many friends. He was baptized in Our Lady of Czensstochowa Church in Brooklyn on January 25, 1947 and attended the parish school where he completed his elementary education in June 1960. He graduated from John Jay High School, Brooklyn in June 1964. He continued his education in college in Manchester, New Hampshire and alter at the Sacred Hear School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. In 1973 he was sent by Bishop Gabro to Rome to complete his theological studies. In June 1975 he received an S.T.B. (Bachelor Degree in Sacred Theology). He proceeded to graduate studies in Oriental Institute (a branch of the Gregorian University of Rome), run by the Jesuit Fathers, and in June 1976 received a License (Magister) in Oriental Canon Law. Robert was ordained a subdeacon July 24, 1974 and later ordained deacon by Bishop Jaroslav Gabro on October 26, 1976. He had served at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Chicago from 1976-1978, St. Joseph UGCC in Sugar Creek, Missouri/St. Joseph, Missouri from 1978-1984 and from 1984 to present with St. Mary’s Assumption in St. Louis, Missouri and St. Mary’s Greek UGCC in Madison, Illinois.
In celebration of his life, a Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Nicholas Cathedral, 835 N. Oakley Blvd (corner of Oakley and Rice) in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk will be the officiant. Burial will follow at St. Nicholas Ukranian Catholic Cemetery in Chicago. Memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Cathedral. Condolences may be made online at www.irwinchapel.com. Irwin Chapel of Granite City, Illinois in charge of arrangements.
