Rev. William Petrunak

STRUTHERS - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Church in Struthers for the Rev. Father William A. Petrunak, 77, who died early Saturday morning at St. Elizabeth Health Center
Father William A. Petrunak was born July 21, 1932, in Struthers to the late Martin and Mary Brincko Petrunak.
Father Petrunak attended Ursuline High School and was a 1950 graduate of Struthers High School. He attended St Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati and received his B.A. in Philosophy from Mt. St. Mary?s in the West in Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained into the Priesthood by Bishop Emmit M. Walsh on May 30, 1959. His first assignment was as Associate Pastor at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church from 1959 to 1966. He taught Religious Education at Ursuline High School and was the Dean of Boys from 1966 to 1980; during this time, he was inducted into the Ursuline Hall of Fame and a scholarship was created in his name by a former class. He was the Chaplain to the Florence Crittenton Home, as well as Director of Father Kane?s Camp from 1970 to 1975. He became the Pastor at St. Mary?s Church in Orwell from 1980 to 1982 and then returned back to Ursuline High School, where he taught Religious Studies until 1986. Father was assigned Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Austintown from 1986 to 1995. In 1995, he was assigned to Little Flower Parish in Middlebranch. In 1996, Father Petrunak returned to Ursuline High School as the Dean of Students and Religious Education teacher. Father was also named Chaplain of Warren John F. Kennedy High School that same year. In 2002, he would become the Administrator of Holy Trinity Church in Struthers. In July 2008, Father Petrunak fulfilled a lifelong dream by being appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, where he belonged as a youth.
Besides his parents, Father Petrunak was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Dobosh, Helen Dobozy, Anne Kunitsky and Veronica Christoff, and a brother, Charles M. Petrunak.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Fran Earl Thomas of Myersdale, Pa., Doug Jo Ellen Dobozy of Roaming Shores, Stephen Dobosh and Bill Cindy Dobosh, both of Hubbard, David Janet Christoff, Joyce Dave Naymick, and Henry Christoff, all of Poland, Norma Bolina of Youngstown, Charles Petrunak, Allan Petrunak, William Petrunak, and Dr. Amy Petrunak, all of Struthers, Mark Sandy Kunitsky and Tony Susan Kunitsky both of Louisville, Ky., and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family would like to offer a special thank-you to the Oblate, Vincentian, and Ursuline Sisters and to all his special parishioners for the devoted love and care that they have shown Father Petrunak.
Friends may call on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Church, 250 N. Bridge St. in Struthers.
Burial will be in St. John?s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Church, The Oblate Sisters, or the Father Petrunak Scholarship funds at Ursuline High School or John F. Kennedy High School in Father?s memory.
Professional arrangements have been entrusted to Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel.
Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences and to view the obituary.