On behalf of the officers, directors and members of the PRCUA, President James Robaczewski extends deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Father Tony. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Father Iwuc was born in South Attleboro, MA on February 25, 1928, the fifth of ten children born to Bronislaw and Adolfina (Zamoida) Iwuc. His siblings were: Stella Rarus, the late Lottie Byrnes, Francis Iwuc, Joseph Iwuc, Charles Iwuc, Jane Zielinski, the late Jesse Jendzejec, Stephen Iwuc and the late Edward Iwuc.
Fr. Iwuc graduated from St. Joseph School in Central Falls, RI; St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, RI; Our Lady of Providence Minor Seminary in Warwick Neck, RI; St. Mary’s College and SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, MI. He was ordained a priest by the late Bishop Russell J. McVinney in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Providence, RI on May 30, 1953. After his ordination, he served as an assistant, administrator pro tem and pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, Coventry, RI for almost 19 years (1953 to 1972).
He dedicated his next 33 years as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Central Falls, RI. Fr. Iwuc was no stranger to St. Joseph’s Parish. It was where his parents were married and where he was baptized in 1928, received his First Holy Communion, was confirmed, offered his First Solemn High Mass in1953, celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his Ordination in 1978, celebrated his Silver Jubilee as pastor in 1997 and celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination in 2003, the Diamond Jubilee of his Ordination in 2013 and the 65th anniversary on May 27, 2018.
Father Iwuc was very active in Polonian affairs, as was exhibited by his membership in the PRCUA; Polish National Alliance; Polish American Congress, where he was president of the Rhode Island Division for 31 years; Polish American Historical Association; Polish American Priests Association, where he served two terms as vice president; Kosciuszko Foundation; Polish-Hungarian World Federation and Affiliation; Polish-American Guardian Society; Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights; Knights of Columbus (4th Degree); John Paul II Foundation of New England; and the American-Polish Cultural Exchange Commission. He was the former president of the New England Chapter of the Orchard Lake Schools (OLS) National Alumni Association, a member of the Board of Regents of the OLS; Past National President of the OLS Alumni Association; member of the Board of Trustees of. Ss.Cyril & Methodius Seminary and St. Mary’s College at Orchard Lake, MI; member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the Diocesan Marian Commission; founder and Moderator of Chapter XXII (RI) of 6th OLS Ladies Auxiliary; Dean of the Blackstone Valley Deanery; Diocesan Director of the Holy Name Society; Summa cum laude member of the Chancellor’s Senate of the OLS; perpetual member of the Orchard Lake Ambassadors and others.
