Father Edward Pokriefka left school at an early age and worked as a laborer until he was 26, when he went back to school as a boarder in first year high school at Assumption College in Windsor, Ontario. Eight years later he entered St. Basil's Novitiate in Toronto, Ontario, and was professed on August 15, 1931. He made his theological studies in Toronto at St. Basil's Seminary and was ordained priest on December 16, 1934.
His priestly life began with an appointment to St. Michael's College, Toronto, where he was assistant to the treasurer during 1935-36. He served at St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish in Owen Sound, Ontario, 1936-37 and 1940-43. While stationed there Father Pokriefka looked after St. Michael's Church, Irish Block, and St. Mary's Church, Hepworth. From 1945 to 1950 he did campaigning work for Assumption College, helping in the drive for a Memorial Science Building. Half his priestly life was spent at St. Anne's Parish in Detroit, 1937-40, 1943-46, and from 1950 until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1954. He was buried in the Basilian plot, Assumption Cemetery, Windsor.
Father Pokriefka, whose name was usually shortened to "Poke", was a big strong man who was remarkably light on his feet. He worked hard himself and had the gift of getting others to work with him. The Centennial Volume of St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish noted: "His memory is still very much alive here, as a good speaker, but above all as a good worker. " His language was blunt, on occasion forceful, and at all times picturesque. He was by nature a man of business rather than a student. Much of Father Pokriefka's work in Detroit was done away from St. Anne's Parish. For some years he was chaplain to the Good Shepherd Sisters. Later he frequently replaced pastors of small parishes who were on sick leave. In Owen Sound he published in 1937 a booklet with the title, A History of St. Michael's Church and the Irish Block, 1852-1937.
Parents: August & Frances (Bohl) Pokriefka.
His priestly life began with an appointment to St. Michael's College, Toronto, where he was assistant to the treasurer during 1935-36. He served at St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish in Owen Sound, Ontario, 1936-37 and 1940-43. While stationed there Father Pokriefka looked after St. Michael's Church, Irish Block, and St. Mary's Church, Hepworth. From 1945 to 1950 he did campaigning work for Assumption College, helping in the drive for a Memorial Science Building. Half his priestly life was spent at St. Anne's Parish in Detroit, 1937-40, 1943-46, and from 1950 until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1954. He was buried in the Basilian plot, Assumption Cemetery, Windsor.
Father Pokriefka, whose name was usually shortened to "Poke", was a big strong man who was remarkably light on his feet. He worked hard himself and had the gift of getting others to work with him. The Centennial Volume of St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish noted: "His memory is still very much alive here, as a good speaker, but above all as a good worker. " His language was blunt, on occasion forceful, and at all times picturesque. He was by nature a man of business rather than a student. Much of Father Pokriefka's work in Detroit was done away from St. Anne's Parish. For some years he was chaplain to the Good Shepherd Sisters. Later he frequently replaced pastors of small parishes who were on sick leave. In Owen Sound he published in 1937 a booklet with the title, A History of St. Michael's Church and the Irish Block, 1852-1937.
Parents: August & Frances (Bohl) Pokriefka.
Father Edward Pokriefka left school at an early age and worked as a laborer until he was 26, when he went back to school as a boarder in first year high school at Assumption College in Windsor, Ontario. Eight years later he entered St. Basil's Novitiate in Toronto, Ontario, and was professed on August 15, 1931. He made his theological studies in Toronto at St. Basil's Seminary and was ordained priest on December 16, 1934.
His priestly life began with an appointment to St. Michael's College, Toronto, where he was assistant to the treasurer during 1935-36. He served at St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish in Owen Sound, Ontario, 1936-37 and 1940-43. While stationed there Father Pokriefka looked after St. Michael's Church, Irish Block, and St. Mary's Church, Hepworth. From 1945 to 1950 he did campaigning work for Assumption College, helping in the drive for a Memorial Science Building. Half his priestly life was spent at St. Anne's Parish in Detroit, 1937-40, 1943-46, and from 1950 until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1954. He was buried in the Basilian plot, Assumption Cemetery, Windsor.
Father Pokriefka, whose name was usually shortened to "Poke", was a big strong man who was remarkably light on his feet. He worked hard himself and had the gift of getting others to work with him. The Centennial Volume of St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish noted: "His memory is still very much alive here, as a good speaker, but above all as a good worker. " His language was blunt, on occasion forceful, and at all times picturesque. He was by nature a man of business rather than a student. Much of Father Pokriefka's work in Detroit was done away from St. Anne's Parish. For some years he was chaplain to the Good Shepherd Sisters. Later he frequently replaced pastors of small parishes who were on sick leave. In Owen Sound he published in 1937 a booklet with the title, A History of St. Michael's Church and the Irish Block, 1852-1937.
Parents: August & Frances (Bohl) Pokriefka.
His priestly life began with an appointment to St. Michael's College, Toronto, where he was assistant to the treasurer during 1935-36. He served at St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish in Owen Sound, Ontario, 1936-37 and 1940-43. While stationed there Father Pokriefka looked after St. Michael's Church, Irish Block, and St. Mary's Church, Hepworth. From 1945 to 1950 he did campaigning work for Assumption College, helping in the drive for a Memorial Science Building. Half his priestly life was spent at St. Anne's Parish in Detroit, 1937-40, 1943-46, and from 1950 until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1954. He was buried in the Basilian plot, Assumption Cemetery, Windsor.
Father Pokriefka, whose name was usually shortened to "Poke", was a big strong man who was remarkably light on his feet. He worked hard himself and had the gift of getting others to work with him. The Centennial Volume of St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish noted: "His memory is still very much alive here, as a good speaker, but above all as a good worker. " His language was blunt, on occasion forceful, and at all times picturesque. He was by nature a man of business rather than a student. Much of Father Pokriefka's work in Detroit was done away from St. Anne's Parish. For some years he was chaplain to the Good Shepherd Sisters. Later he frequently replaced pastors of small parishes who were on sick leave. In Owen Sound he published in 1937 a booklet with the title, A History of St. Michael's Church and the Irish Block, 1852-1937.
Parents: August & Frances (Bohl) Pokriefka.
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