St. Stan's Rev. Joseph Szpilski on PAC's 2013 Honors List. Annual Awards Banquet at the Polish & Slavic Center on October 26th.

Born in Radom, Poland shortly before Germany’s invasion of Poland that started World War II, Rev. Szpilski spent the rest of his youthful years under Nazi and Communist occupation of his country while he studied and prepared for the priesthood.

He became a member of the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission) and came to the United States in 1964 on assignment to St. John Kanty Prep in Erie, PA.

Although subsequent assignments took him to the St. Vincent Mission House in Whitestone, NY and to Ansonia, CT, his parish and organizational activities have identified him most closely with Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

He was pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church from 1973 to 1982. Despite the heavy demand of heading a parish as large as St. Stan’s, Father Szpilski also served as director of the parish Polish Supplementary School.

The Polish National Alliance was also able to benefit from his tenure in Greenpoint by having him as their institution’s chaplain during those years.

He was transferred after completing his duties as pastor at St. Stan’s but returned in 2008 where he currently serves.

The PAC’s Awards Banquet on Saturday, October 26th, will commence at 7:00 p.m. with admission of $85. The Polish & Slavic Center’s banquet hall is at 177 Kent Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (the renovated building which once was the former St. Alphonsus Church). Detailed information is available at (718) 383-5290.

Also to be honored that evening are Henry Cioczek M.D. ; Congressman Peter King (R-NY); Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Marie Sklodowska Curie Professional Women’s Association; the Society of Polish American Travel Agents and the Pulaski Association of the New York City Police Department.

Frank Milewski