Well-Known Clergyman From Southington Mourned After His Death Last Week

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A local resident and prominent priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford died last week after a brief illness, the archdiocese announced Monday.

The Rev. Gerald H. Dziedzic, a Roman Catholic priest who served parishes across central Connecticut for more than five decades, died Feb. 25 after a brief illness. He was 78.

Dziedzic was a longtime resident of Southington.

Born Aug. 11, 1947, in Terryville, he was the only son of the late Henry and Ethel (Kulesa) Dziedzic.

He began studies for the priesthood at St. Thomas Seminary and continued at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Maryland and St. John Seminary in Massachusetts.

He was ordained on May 25, 1974, at Saint Joseph Cathedral by Archbishop John Whealon.

His early assignments in the Archdiocese of Hartford included serving as an assistant at parishes in Hartford and Bristol.

In 1996, Dziedzic became a pastor for the first time, leading Immaculate Conception Parish in Terryville, later overseeing St. Casimir Parish as well. He went on to serve as a pastor in Meriden and New Milford.

Beyond parish ministry, he was chaplain at Our Lady of Mercy Academy from 1983 to 1995 and served on the Archdiocese’s Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors, advising the archbishop on church matters.

In August 2022, he was granted senior priest status and retired from active ministry.

Dziedzic also served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1986 to 1987.

He was an avid fan of the UConn Huskies men's basketball and the New York Yankees, and enjoyed gardening and spending time outdoors. He is survived by a large extended family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. March 6 at St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt St., in Plantsville. Burial with military honors will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal through the Archdiocese of Hartford. Arrangements are being handled by Plantsville Funeral Home.