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In Memoriam

Jesuit Father John (Jack) W. Wambach died on Sept.15, 2016, at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 82 years old, a Jesuit for 65 years, and a priest for 52 years.

Born in Milwaukee, on Sept. 21, 1933, Fr. Wambach attended Mother of Good Counsel Grade School and Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, before entering the Society on August 8, 1951. He had the usual Jesuit course of studies at St. Stanislaus Seminary and the Oshkosh Jesuit Novitiate, Saint Louis University, and Saint Mary’s College. Fr. Wambach was ordained a priest on June 16, 1964, made tertianship in Decatur, Illinois, and professed final vows on Aug. 15, 1967.

After his regency at Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and several years as socius to the director of novices, Fr. Wambach spent the rest of his Jesuit life doing pastoral ministry.  He served at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato, Minnesota, for eight years; at St. Francis Mission in St. Francis, South Dakota, for two years; at Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee for seven years; and at St. Gabriel Parish in Prairie du Chien for 22 years. Declining health led to his moving to the St. Camillus Jesuit Community in 2008, but Fr. Wambach remained pastorally active at St. Camillus, almost until the day he died.

 

Click here to read A Jesuit’s Journey reflection by Fr. Wambach on his life’s ministry.