Alfred Rozanski, father of St. Louis archbishop and former Baltimore bishop, dies at 86

Alfred Rozanski, a dedicated parishioner of Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Graceland Park whose son rose to become the archbishop of St. Louis, died Dec. 27 of complications from COVID-19. He was 86. 

His son Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, a former auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, said his father’s greatest accomplishment was his long and rewarding marriage to his wife, Jean.

“He and my mom were married for 64 years, and he just adored my mother. He would do anything for her. They just had such a wonderful, loving marriage. And in the end, my mother took great care of him in his final illness,” Archbishop Rozanski said.

Jean Rozanski also contracted COVID-19, but her son said her condition is improving and she is expected to recover. Archbishop Rozanski recently traveled to Baltimore and was able to see his father before his death.

Born in 1934, Rozanski began his married and family life in Fells Point, attending Holy Rosary Parish. In 1966, the Rozanskis moved to Dundalk and quickly became mainstays at Sacred Heart of Mary. Jean Rozanski still lives in the same home the couple purchased in 1966. 

For 25 years, Rozanski worked as a police officer for Bethlehem Steel and later he was a security guard for 18 years at Allied Signal.

Archbishop Rozanski described his father as a man of “simple tastes” and “simple living.” Not one for hobbies, Rozanski preferred family gatherings.

“He loved to be able to gather with us. And as the years went on, he seemed to really treasure those moments more and more,” Archbishop Rozanski said.

Rozanski was also very devoted to his faith, praying the rosary daily with his wife and being of service at his church.

For years, he and his wife Jean would volunteer at the annual Sacred Heart of Mary church carnivals, working the food stands and game booths. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society.

The family was proud of its Polish heritage and when Archbishop Rozanski was a child, they made their own Polish sausage, sometimes 50 pounds at a time. They would give the finished product as gifts to relatives.

Archbishop Rozanski said his father had always been supportive of whatever path he took including the priesthood. When he was studying at the seminary, Archbishop Rozanski said his father made a point to tell him that if he decided that the priesthood wasn’t for him, he would always be welcome back at home.

This year Archbishop Rozanski was elevated to his position in St. Louis after serving as bishop of Springfield, Mass.

He said his parents were proud of him becoming an archbishop but, he said, their primary concern was that he’d be moving further away from the family home in Dundalk. The coronavirus kept his parents from attending his installation in person this summer. 

Although the Rozanskis watched on television from Maryland, they were still a part of the ceremony. His parents received a special thanks in his first homily as archbishop.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; sons Mitchell, Kenneth, and Albert; grandchildren Ashley, Amanda, Kyle and Dalton; and great-granddaughter, Caroline.

A viewing will be held on Jan. 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kaczorowski Funeral Home in Dundalk. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 at Sacred Heart of Mary. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rozanski’s name made be made to Sacred Heart of Mary Church.

Email Tim Swift at tswift@catholicreview.org

More on the Rozanski family

• Archbishop Rozanski, newly installed head of St. Louis archdiocese, finds strength in Baltimore roots
• Bishop Rozanski’s parents nurtured his faith

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