Henry A. Rev. Szarnicki

Rev. Henry A. Szarnicki S.T.L., Ph.D., 88, formerly of Natrona Heights, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Family Hospice and Palliative Care, Mt. Lebanon. He was born May 30, 1928, in Natrona Heights, a son of the late Adam and Magdalena Poniatowski Szarnicki. Father was a veteran of the Army Air Corp. Father Henry was a graduate of Har-Brack High School, attend Duquesne University and graduate in 1951 with his B.A. from St. Vincent College. He also received his STB/STL in 1955 from St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore and his M.A. in 1965 and his Ph.D. in church history in 1971 from the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Father Henry was ordained on June 4, 1955 by Bishop Dearden at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh. He served the Diocese of Pittsburgh as a Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Verona, St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Parish, Pittsburgh, Holy Souls Parish, Carnegie, St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, Allison Park, and Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Pittsburgh. Father Henry served the Diocese of Pittsburgh as a Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Verona, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Natrona Heights, Holy Family Parish, Lawrenceville and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Polish Hill. He finished his service to the Diocese as an Assistant Chaplain at Marian Manor Nursing Home, Pittsburgh, until his retirement on June 8, 1998. Father Henry enjoyed golf and travel ( traveling extensively to places such as Russia, Poland, Europe, the Middle East and Central America). He also enjoyed the opera with his brother the late Rev. Zygmunt Szarnicki. Father Henry is survived by his nieces and nephews, Andrea (John) Mucenski, of Buffalo Township, Janet (Douglas) Rehak, of South Buffalo Township, Amy (Thomas) Helke, of Natrona Heights, Lisa Woyt, of Cheswick, Dr. Robert (Mary) Szarnicki, of California, Frank (Beverly) Szarnicki Jr. of Ohio, John (Dr. Amy Killeen) Szarnicki, of Maryland, James (Fran) Szarnicki, of West Leechburg, Mary Jo (Tony) DiRocco, of Munhall, Susan (David) Armstrong, of Plum Borough, Cathy (Dennis) Smith, of Butler, Paul (Shawn) Szarnicki, of Florida, Claudia Szarnicki, of Virginia, Marcia Lane, of Virginia and Mark Szarnicki, of New York; sister-in-law, Mildred Szarnicki, of Virginia; and by numerous great and great great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Stanley (Irene), Frank (Xavier), Rev. Zygmunt, Anthony, and Edward (Eleanor Jean) Szarnicki; sister, Sabina 'Sally' (Stanley) Krzeminski; nephew, Joseph Krzeminski; nieces, Gloria Tamburo and Patricia Szarnicki.
Friends will be received on Sunday from 12-5 PM in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights 724-224-8688. The Vesper service will be held on Sunday at 7:00 PM in Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Natrona Heights with the Very Rev. Philip N. Farrell as Presider. Additional visitation will be held in the church on Sunday until 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10 AM in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church with the Most Rev. David A. Zubik as celebrant. Burial will be in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Township.