Father Julian Anthony Karczewski, a priest in the Diocese of Camden for almost 40 years, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the age of 68.
Born on May 15, 1943, in Atlantic City, Father Karczewski graduated from Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained on May 21, 1974.
His first assignment was at St. Joseph, South Camden, as parochial vicar, 1974-77. He was parochial vicar at St. John Neumann, Winslow Township, (1977-81); St. James, Penns Grove (1981-84); Most Holy Redeemer, Westville Grove (1984-86 and 2000-03;) Mary, Mother of the Church, Bellmawr (1986-87); Our Lady of Good Counsel, Ocean City (1987-95); and St. Mary and Our Lady of Pompeii, Vineland (1995-2000).
He served as administrator at St. Ann, Elmer starting in 2003, until his retirement in 2007.
Father Ed Lipinski, who knew Father Karczewski for almost 40 years, and worked with him from 1974-77 when both were assigned to St. Joseph in South Camden, remembered a “very modest, humble man,” who was “personable; he loved people, and everyone loved him.”
Father Karczewski had polio as a child, which affected his walk, and as a priest he suffered hearing loss. Despite these struggles, Father Lipinski said, his friend “never once (complained) about his crosses…(they) didn’t hinder his work in the priesthood.”
“He was an inspiration to the people he met,” Father Lipinski said. “People grew in strength after meeting him.”
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Casimir Church, Woodbine, on Jan. 30. Interment was at St. Casimir’s Cemetery.
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