Father Joseph C. Trinka, age 87 of Amery, WI, formerly of Clear Lake, WI died early on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at the Amery Memory Care where he had been a resident the past two years.
Father Joseph Casimir Trinka was born on August 11th, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts the son of Lithuanian emigrants Joseph and Veronika (Sarafinas) Trinka. He attended St. Peter’s Lithuanian Church in Boston where he was Baptized and Confirmed and served as an acolyte. At a young age he knew he always wanted to be a Priest and felt that the Virgin Mary intervened to make that possible. Because of this, Father had a life long devotion to her. Joseph attended the Boston Public School thru eight grade and then went on to St Francis Xavier Minor Seminary. His education for the Priesthood next took him to Our Lady of Angel’s Seminary at Niagara University, New York and was Ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on May 7th 1959 at St Peter’s Lithuanian Church in Boston. Father then began serving the Diocese of Superior, WI for the next 49 years before retiring at age 76 due to health problems.
His years of service took him to the following Wisconsin parishes-
Holy Rosary Church in Medford – 6+ years
Immaculate Conception Church in Rhinelander, St. John Mission in Pelican Lake and at St. James Mission in Monico – 2+ years
St. John the Evangelist Church in Birchwood, St. Mary’s Church in Exeland and at St. Ann’s Church in Murry – 10+ years
St. Patrick’s Church in Centuria and Our Lady of the Pines Church in Balsam Lake – 11+ years
St. Joseph’s Church in Barron and St. Peter’s Church in Cameron – 3+ years
St. John the Baptist Church in Clear Lake and St. Bridget’s Church in Stanton – 14 years
Growing up in the Boston culture Father had a love of opera and classical music and had an amazing voice. Father also enjoyed the old movies and ice cream!!
Father had a love of the Mass and such a gratitude for being allowed to become a Priest, that he offered Mass for the people every day of the week including his days off. Father also kept a journal of his Masses and whom they were offered for. In his life as a Priest Father offered nearly 30,000 Masses.
At the age of 76 health issues forced Father into retirement, something he never wanted to do. He spent the next years at River Bend and then Amery Memory Care where he offered Mass daily (attended by friends) until he was no longer able.
In Fathers final days at Amery Memory Care the love and respect of the staff was over whelming. Staff came in early, stayed late and even came in on their days off to spent time and Pray for Father.
“Well done my good and faithful servant”
Father was preceded in death by-
Parents; Joseph and Veronika Trinka;
Sister, Josephine Trinka;
Sister, Veronica (Trinka) Chesnell;
Brother in Law, Daniel Chesnell;
Niece, Dorothy Jenness; & Nephew, Carl Chesnell
Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, January 28, 2019 -- 11:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
in Clear Lake, WI
Officiatiant - Bishop James Powers Music - Jane Thompson, Kris & Shelly Budke
Former Altar Servers Casket Bearers: Steve Arcand, Joseph Novak, Matthew Novak, Nicholas Novak,
Ronald Thelen, Brent Traynor,
A Funeral Mass will be held in St. Peter Lithuanian Church at a later date information to follow.
Interment - New Calvary Cemetery, Boston, MA