Fr. John M. Tezie

The Reverend John M. Tezie, Senior Priest-Retired, died Tuesday, 12 March 2019, after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. John M. Tezie was born on 17 November 1933. His parents were the late Michael J. and Ann Marie (Rosipal). He was educated at St. Christopher Elementary School, Rocky River, Rocky River High School, Rocky River, St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, Indiana, Borromeo Seminary, Wickliffe and St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland. On 23 May 1959, in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Bishop Floyd L. Begin ordained him to the priesthood for the service of the Diocese of Cleveland. Fr. Tezie’s first assignment was as Parochial Vicar of Holy Cross, Euclid. He was transferred on 11 June 1964 to St. Wendelin, Cleveland, to serve as Parochial Vicar. During this assignment, he served as Religion teacher for St. Edward High School, Lakewood, effective 1 September 1968. Fr. Tezie was assigned Parochial Vicar of Annunciation, Cleveland on 30 September 1969. On 9 September 1970, he was assigned Parochial Vicar of St. Peter, Lorain. He was assigned Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Lourdes, Cleveland, on 6 March 1973. On 15 October 1976, Fr. Tezie was appointed Chaplain at St. John Medical Center. He was appointed Administrator of St. John the Baptist, Akron, on 12 September 1977. On 3 March 1978, Fr. Tezie was named Pastor of St. John the Baptist, Akron. He was assigned Parochial Vicar of St. Helen, Newbury, on 27 June 1985. On 1 December 1986, Fr. was assigned CoTezie Chaplain for Huron Road Hospital, E. Cleveland, University Hospital, Cleveland and Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland while in residence at Christ, the King, E. Cleveland. On 17 March 1987, he was assigned Co-Chaplain at Southwest General Hospital, Middleburg Hts. and Cleveland Clinic Hospital, Cleveland with residence at St. Joseph, Strongsville. He was appointed Chaplain at Southwest General Hospital, Middleburg Hts. on 22 July 1987, with residence at St. Mary, Berea. On 3 December 1990, Fr. Tezie was named Pastor of Our Lady of Grace, Hinckley. On 10 June 1996, Fr. Tezie was named Pastor of Assumption, Grafton. Fr. Tezie was assigned Co-Chaplain at University Hospital, Cleveland, on 10 September 1998, and Senior Parochial Vicar in residence at St. John Nepomucene, Cleveland. On 2 October 2000, he was appointed Chaplain at St. Michael Hospital, Cleveland. Fr. Tezie was assigned to serve St. Mary, Berea as Senior Parochial Vicar on 29 October 2001. On 16 August 2002, he was appointed Administrator pro tem of St. Mary, Berea. On 17 November 2003, Fr. Tezie retired. Fr. Tezie was a dedicated and faithful priest who worked quietly attending to the needs of those entrusted to his care. His devotion to the sick and suffering, as well as the elderly was inspiring. His gentle smile and friendly greeting will be greatly missed. Survivors include his brother, Robert A. Tezie of Florida; his nephews and nieces, Mark Scheible (Marsha), Bill Scheible (Nancy), Karen Michalczyk (Alex), Jack Scheible (Kathleen); Rob Scheible; Mary Scheible and Julie Vasek (Al); 16 great-grandnieces and nephews; six greatand great-grandnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Fr. William F.Tezie, in 2002; his sister, Dorothy Scheible; and his parents, Michael and Anna Mae Tezie (nee: Rosipal). The wake will begin with Vespers on Friday, March, 15, 2019 in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 S. Lake St., South Amherst, OH 44001 at 3:00 p.m. Bishop Roger Gries will preside and will be the homilist. The wake will continue until 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 16, 2019 in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 S. Lake St., South Amherst at 11:00 a.m. Bishop Nelson Perez will be the main celebrant and Fr. Charlie Diedrick will be the homilist. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Amherst. The Hempel Funeral Home is honored to serve the Fr. John Tezie family and has made available for the community’s convenience an online register book, as well as additional information to help facilitate expressions of compassion. Log on at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.