Pittsburgh, PA 

Rev. John P. Skaj, C.S.Sp., 78, died Thursday, March 26 at Marian Manor in Greentree, Pittsburgh PA.

Father Skaj was born January 20, 1937 in Holdingford MN. He professed his vows to the religious life August 22, 1958 at Holy Ghost Novitiate, Ridgefield CT and was ordained to the priesthood May 30, 1963 at St. Mary’s Seminary, Ferndale, Norwalk CT.

Fr. Skaj was preceded in death by his parents, John and Magdalene Scepaniak Skaj, his sister Dorothy Skaj and brothers Allen and Damas. He is survived by his sister Alice Iverson, nieces and nephews.

He was first appointed Associate Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Emsworth, Pittsburgh PA (1964-1968). He was an assistant at St. Joseph House for Boys in Philadelphia (1968-1970), Assistant Pastor at St. Anthony Parish, Portsmouth RI (1971-1973) followed by Assistant Pastor at St. Mary, Sharpsburg, PA for four years. New assignments over the next twenty years lead him to be appointed Pastor, St. Theresa Tiverton RI (1977-1983), Pastor at St. Joseph, Bay City MI (1983-1987) and Pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Little Compton RI (1987-1996). He returned to Sacred Heart Parish, Emsworth as Pastor in 1996 and also served as a member of the Priest Council of the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 2003-20009. Fr. Skaj retired to the Spiritan Community at Libermann Hall, Bethel Park in March of 2010 where he was the Superior since 2012.

There will be viewing in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at the Spiritan Center, 6230 Brush Run Road, Bethel Park on Sunday, March 29 from 3:00-5:00 PM. There will also be viewing at Sacred Heart Parish, 154 Orchard Ave., Emsworth on Monday March 30 from 9:00-10:15 AM followed by Mass at 10:30. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, O’Hara Twp., Pittsburgh PA.

Condolences may be sent to Father’s sister, Mrs. Alice Iverson, 1209 Glen Arbor Drive, Mandeville LA 70471.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through God’s mercy rest in peace!