Fr. Joseph Gregory Rasky, S.M. died in the service of the Blessed Virgin on June 8, 2021 at the age of 89 and with 69 years of vowed life.

He was born in West Allis, (Milwaukee), WI on May 25, 1932, the son of Stanley and Mary (Drost) Raszkiewicz.

He met the Marianists at Don Bosco High School in Milwaukee where he made All-Conference in basketball.  Joe made his First Vows on August 15, 1951, and pronounced his Perpetual Vows on July 14, 1956, both at Marynook in Galesville, WI.  He received his BA in English from St. Mary's University, San Antonio, TX in 1954 and later received his MA in Religious Education also from St. Mary's University.

Prior to going to the seminary, from 1954 until 1960 he ministered at Assumption HS in E. St. Louis, and at St. Mary's HS and at Chaminade College Prep, both in St. Louis, MO.  He coached speech and debate as well as track.

Beginning on August 15, 1960, Joe studied at the Marianist Seminary in Fribourg, Switzerland, and was Ordained on April 3, 1965.  After ordination he served as chaplain at McBride HS in St. Louis, MO and later as Associate Pastor at Holy Rosary Parish in San Antonio for 12 years.  From 1978 to 1981 he spent 3 years serving as chaplain at our schools in both Callao and Lima, Peru.

Returning to the U.S., Joe ministered as a chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital for 9 years and in 1991 he began helping out as chaplain at Central Catholic HS and also became involved in the Marriage Encounter Movement (ME) in 1973.  He continued his involvement with ME until 2018, serving over 500 weekends.

Joseph had 4 brothers and 4 sisters.  He is survived by his sister Lucille Diges and his sister-in-law, Betty Rasky, and many nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICES:

Memorial Rosary will be recited Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. at Holy Rosary Parish.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 11:00 A.M. also at Holy Rosary Parish.

Burial will be held in the Marianist Cemetery at a later date.

There will be no reception due to caution for the COVID-19 concerns.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, donation may be sent to the Marianist Mission, Mt. St. John,

4435 East Patterson Rd., Dayton, OH 45430-1033.