Rev. Charles E. J. Borowski, 79
WEBSTER – Father Charles E. J. Borowski, 79, died Wednesday, July 22 at Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard after being stricken ill while driving his automobile.
He leaves a sister, Dolores M. “Dolly” Hebert of Worcester; his godchild, Kathleen A. Kender of Shrewsbury; two nephews, Stephen B. Hebert of Shrewsbury and William Borowski of Millbury; a niece, Michelle Borowski of Dudley; and a sister-in-law, Edwina of Dudley; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward and William Borowski.
He was born in Webster on March 5, 1941, the son of Edward F. and Della E. (Nowakowska) Borowski and graduated from Bartlett High School in 1958. He studied philosophy at St. Mary Seminary and theology at Saints Cyril & Methodius Seminary, both in Orchard Lake, Michigan, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1966, by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan.
He first was an assistant pastor at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Worcester for three years. In 1969, he became a member of the faculty at Saints Cyril & Methodius Seminary, teaching there until 1974. He served as assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church, St. Peter Church, St. John Church, St. Catherine of Sweden Church and St. Stephen Church, all in Worcester, between 1974 and 1987. He then became associate pastor at St. Andrew Bobola Church in Dudley. He was appointed chaplain at the Providence House Nursing Homes in Worcester, Millbury and Southbridge from 1987 to 1991.
Father Borowski became the pastor of St. Joseph Church in Gardner on July 12, 1991, and then the administrator of St. Paul Parish in Warren for one year before being named pastor of St. Stanislaus Church in West Warren on Feb. 11, 1994. He served as pastor of St. Hedwig Church in Southbridge for 12 years, retiring in 2011. In retirement, he helped at St. Joseph Basilica, until the present time.
“Father Charley,” as he was affectionately known, brought the sacraments to many shut-ins in the area during his retirement. For more than two decades, he organized a weekly “Hour of Prayer for Vocations” which was held in a different parish of the diocese every week. Fluent in Polish, he offered classes in that language at different parishes.
His funeral will be held Tuesday, July 28, at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., with Bishop Robert J. McManus as the main celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph Garden of Peace cemetery. He will lie in state on Monday, July 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the church, where a vigil service will be conducted at 7 p.m., presided by Father William F. Sanders, dean of Deanery VII. Current guidelines will be in place and all are asked to wear a mask.
Donations in Father Borowski’s name may be made to the Clergy Benefit Plan of the Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster.