Fr. John W. Wambach, S.J.
Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother Fr. John W. Wambach, S.J., who was called to eternal life on Sept. 15. Jack died at St. Camillus, in Wauwatosa. He was eighty-two years old, a Jesuit for sixty-five years, and a priest for fifty-two years.
Born in Milwaukee, on Sept. 21, 1933, Jack attended Mother of Good Counsel Grade School and Marquette University High School in Milwaukee before entering the Society on Aug. 8, 1951. He had the usual Jesuit course of studies at St. Stanislaus Seminary and the Oshkosh Jesuit Novitiate, Saint Louis University, and St. Mary’s College. Jack was ordained on June 16, 1964, made tertianship in Decatur, Ill., and pronounced his final vows on Aug. 15, 1967.
After regency at Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, and a few years as socius to the director of novices, Jack spent the rest of his Jesuit life doing pastoral ministry. He served at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Mankato, Minn. for eight years, at St. Francis Mission in St. Francis, S.D. for two years, at Gesu Church in Milwaukee, for seven years, and at St. Gabriel’s Church in Prairie du Chien, for a total of twenty-two years. Declining health led to his moving to the St. Camillus Jesuit Community in 2008, but Jack remained pastorally active at St. Camillus almost until the day he died.
Jack was a wise and much beloved Jesuit priest who helped thousands of his parishioners experience God’s love for them. After so many years of service in Prairie du Chien, he probably knew almost every family in town. An outstanding athlete as a young man, he struggled with health issues at various times during his life. He was a good companion to his Jesuit brothers. He will be remembered as a gift to God’s people.
Arrangements are as follows:
Visitation wil be Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the San Camillo Chapel, 10200 West Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa, WI. with funeral Mass to follow at 7 p.m. Burial will be Wednesday, Sept. 21, 9:30 a.m. at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 3801 West Morgan Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
Messages of condolence may be sent to one of the following: St. Camillus Jesuit Community, 10100 West Bluemound Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226; or Jane Strenski (sister), 2701 Regency Oaks, Clearwater, FL 33759
As we remember with gratitude all that God has done through Jack’s life of service to God and God’s people, we are reminded of our privilege and obligation to offer Masses and prayers for his eternal repose. All members of the Wisconsin Province and those applied to it are to offer one Mass intention for Jack. Members of the St. Camillus Jesuit Community will offer one additional Mass intention. All will wish to remember Jack in their prayers and Masses.
