Monsignor Stanley E. Kloskowski, 84, of Hamilton Square, died Saturday morning, January 28, 2012, at Compassionate Care of St. Francis, Trenton, NJ.
Born and raised in South River, Monsignor Stan attended St. Mary's Grammar School and was a graduate of South River High School, Class of 1945. He served in the Army National Guard with the Medical Unit from 1946 until 1950.
An avid musician, Monsignor followed his passion as a jazz accordionist and organist, having studied under Dr. Earl Brown, a highly regarded professional in the jazz world. He played under Arthur Godfrey, the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and for the Buster Crab Water Follies. As a member of the Corbitor Trio, he played in many nightclubs across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Canada with his trio-mates Marty Pinizzotto and Tim Smith.
As a highly accomplished musician he was invited to Italy to perform in an international accordion festival of the finest players in America and Europe.
In 1950, Monsignor followed his calling and began his undergraduate and seminary studies at Saint Mary's College and Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary, both of Orchard Lake, Michigan. He continued his education and received his Masters of Divinity in Advanced Theological Studies. While a student of theology, he was also the Seminary organist.
Monsignor was ordained into the Priesthood May 31, 1958, and then served in the Camden Diocese for 50 years. During his time in the diocese, he served as Parochial Vicar at the St. Edward, St. Joseph (Polish), Our Lady of Victories, and St. Michael Parishes. Monsignor served as Pastor and Administrator at St. Catherine Parish, and Pastor at St. Luke, St. James, and St. Teresa of Avila. Some of Monsignor's appointments were the Organist of the Diocesan Priests' Choir, served on the Diocesan Litergical Commission, and the Common Policy Committee for Pastoral Marriage Preparation. He was a representative for the Salem County Synod Event, presided at the opening prayers for the New Jersey State Senate, and was appointed the Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II.
In recent years, he continued his calling at St. Gregory the Great RC Church, Hamilton, where he was the Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, enjoyed visiting communicants in the local hospitals and long term care centers, including Arcadia, Care One, Rose Hill and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. He loved the community and children of St. Gregory the Great and his greatest love of his priesthood was participating in the children's First Holy Communion. More recently, he was assisting at St. Hedwig RC Church, Trenton and St. Anthony of Padua RC Church, Hightstown.
As devoted as he was to his priestly calling, Monsignor was a man of many interests. He was fascinated by the sciences and throughout his life enjoyed astronomy. He earned his private pilot's license and flew a Cessna 180. Because he was a lover of communications and technology, he became an amateur radio operator, with the handle of "WA2IPX", and enjoyed keeping in touch with friends from all over the world by way of his computer.
Monsignor was very proud of his Polish heritage and spoke fluent Polish.
Son of the late, Vincent and Mary (Kaznowski) Kloskowski; he is survived by his sister, Laura Krisak, his brother, Edward L. Kloskowski, his brother and sister-in-law, and Dr. Vincent J., Jr. and Geraldine B. Kloskowski; his five nephews and one niece, Edward and Anthony Krisak, Dean Vincent J. Kloskowski, III, Edward Kloskowski, Kristine Lucke and Matthew Kloskowski and many great nieces and nephews.
The Rite of Reception will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great RC Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ with a visitation following from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Jesus Christ the High Priest will be celebrated Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m. at the church.
Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Brunswick, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SS Cyril and Methodius Seminary, 3535 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake, MI 48324 or the American Cancer Society, 3076 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648