Brother Joseph Mary Hrezo, C.PP.S., died at 12:10 p.m. on his 91st birthday, Monday, March 16, 2020, in the infirmary at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio, where he made his home. He had been in failing health.

He was born on March 16, 1929, in Footedale, Pa., to Andrew and Julia (Scambora) Hrezo. He entered the Society in 1948 and was professed on July 1, 1950.

Br. Joseph Mary, who would have celebrated the 70th anniversary of his profession this year, has held many positions of service to his religious community. He was an infirmary assistant at St. Charles Seminary in the 1950s, and was in ministry at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind., from 1958 to 1978. There, he was the equipment manager for the college’s sports teams and later worked in its infirmary. He ministered at the Precious Blood Center in Liberty, Mo., from 1996 until his retirement to St. Charles in 2006.

A gentle soul, Br. Joseph Mary was a loyal friend who never had an unkind word for anyone. He had a great love for Mary; his room at St. Charles Center was adorned with pictures, statues and icons of her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 23 at 2 p.m. at St. Charles Center, with Fr. Jeffrey Kirch, C.PP.S., provincial director, presiding. Fr. Ken Schroeder, C.PP.S., will be the homilist. Burial will follow in the Community cemetery.