The wake for Father Thomas J. Pajk will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Feb. 7 at St. Joseph Church, 32929 Lake Road, Avon Lake and will continue until 7 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will preside at vespers and Father Dennis Kristancic will be the homilist.
Bishop Martin Amos, bishop emeritus of Davenport, Iowa will be the main celebrant at Father Pajk’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Feb. 8 at St. Joseph Church. Father Gerald Bednar will be the homilist.
Father Pajk, 74, died on Feb. 3.
The son of the late John and Ann Pajk, he was educated at St. Casimir School and Benedictine High School in Cleveland, The Ohio State University, Cleveland State University, John Carroll University, Borromeo College, Wickliffe, and Saint Mary Seminary, Wickliffe. He was ordained to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland by Bishop Anthony Pilla on June 6, 1987 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Father Pajk’s first assignment was as parochial vicar at Holy Name Parish, Cleveland. In addition, he was appointed emcee for Archbishop James Lyke effective July 8, 1987. He was transferred to St. Francis de Sales Parish in Parma on June 19, 1990 to serve as parochial vicar and he also served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus No. 4900. On June 20, 1995, Father Pajk was appointed parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Gates Mills. During this assignment, he also served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Archbishop Hallinan Assembly. He was transferred on Feb. 23, 1998 to serve as parochial vicar of St. Peter Parish in North Ridgeville and on June 10, 2003, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Monica Parish in Garfield Heights. On June 5, 2007, he was transferred to St. Joan of Arc Parish, Chagrin Falls, to serve as parochial vicar and on June 7, 2011, he was appointed parochial vicar of St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton.
Father Pajk was appointed senior parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Avon Lake on June 9, 2015 and served there until he was granted early retirement on Oct. 1, 2016.
He is remembered as a kind, gentle-hearted priest who was generous in helping parishes after his retirement.
Interment will take place at a later date.