Rev. Joseph Rafacz

Rev. Joseph J. Rafacz, 84, Wausau, died Tuesday August 27, 2013, at North Central Health Care Facilities, Wausau. He was born February 4, 1929, in Wausau, son of the late Matthew and Pauline (Gajewski) Rafacz. He attended St. Michael Catholic Grade School, Wausau, St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary, Sturtevant, St. Francis College, Milwaukee and St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore. Father Rafacz was ordained a priest by Bishop John P. Treacy at Holy Cross Seminary in LaCrosse on the vigil of Pentecost, May 19, 1956. He celebrated his First Mass on Pentecost Sunday at St. Michael Parish in Wausau. His first assignment was to Holy Cross Seminary in LaCrosse where he taught Latin and Greek to high school and college seminarians for twelve years. In 1968, Father Joe was appointed as pastor of his first parish, Sacred Heart in Cassel, where he served for two years. He was then appointed pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Wausau until 1974 when he became pastor of St. Michael Parish in Wausau. Father Rafacz served St. Michael Parish for the next 17 years. In 1991 he was appointed as Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of LaCrosse. During his 11 years with the Diocesan Curia, Father Joe also served as pastor of. St. Pius and St. Thomas Moore Parishes in LaCrosse, which later joined to become; Mary, Mother of the Church Parish. Father Rafacz's last assignment was at St. Agnes Parish in Weston, from July 9, 2002 until receiving the status of Senior Priest on October 1, 2010. Father Joe was a priest of the people and many of his parishioners became some of his most treasured friends. After the death of his parents, Father Joe came into possession of his boyhood home and through the years, enjoyed spending time there. The home served as his personal retreat where he would tend his gardens, do yard work, rest and meditate. Survivors include three sisters, Angeline Milanowski, Hatley, Grace Wadzinski, Wausau and Mary (John) Gusman, Hatley, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Leona Erdman and three brothers-in-law, Harland Wadzinski, Ernest Milanowski and Edgar Erdman and one niece, Judy Connor. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday September 3, 2013 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. There will be a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the church. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Jamie Pastika and her team of caregivers whose in-home care allowed Father Joe the ability to stay in his home for a much longer period of time. The staff at Evergreen Place at North Central Health Care Facility also provided Father Joe with excellent compassionate care for which the family is truly grateful.