The Reverend Mr. Clarence A. Chrosniak
Permanent Deacon, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, West, Cleveland

died Saturday, December 20, 1997 at Lutheran Medical Center after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. Reverend Mr. Chrosniak had been ill with cancer.

Clarence A. Chrosniak was born on July 25, 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Andrew and Jennie Chrosniak. Clarence went to high school at Brunnerdale Seminary, Canton, Ohio and attended St. Joseph College, Collegeville, Indiana. He was a surgical technician in the Army Medical Corp. and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946.

He married Angela Costanzo on July 6, 1946. Angela died on June 23, 1978 prior to Clarence's admission to diaconate formation in 1979. Their marriage brought them one daughter, Sr. Jo Marie Chrosniak, H.M.

Clarence was ordained to the diaconate on June 5, 1982 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland, Ohio, by the Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla. Following his ordination, he was assigned to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, West, Cleveland, where he was assigned at the time of his death. Prior to his illness, Clarence ministered to the elderly, especially those at Villa Mercede. He often took Communion to the sick and shut-ins and did hospital ministry at Lutheran Medical Center. He was active in teaching Religious Education to the children of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Grade School. In addition to this, his liturgical ministry included Baptisms, conducting Wake Services, and assisting and preaching at liturgies.