Father Paul Wolensky was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on August 27, 1963, to the late Paul and Anna Havrilla Wolensky. He was a proud trombone player in the Lake-Lehman High School band and graduated in 1981. He attended Penn State University-Wilkes-Barre, and worked as a bartender at Gus Gennetti’s and as a DJ at WILK, with the radio call name of Paul Richards.
Fr. Paul, having lost his father, Paul, at an early age became a devoted son to his mother, Anna. Like many before him and after him, he was always attached to his other home, his parish Saint Vladimir’s in Edwardsville. Be it serving at the altar with the priests, singing with choir, or eventually learning to be a cantor, he was dedicated to his church and to Christ.
As he was discerning whether to enter seminary, it was not merely on a whim. It was decision that took, prayer, as well as grace from on high, to leave one life behind and to follow an invitation tugging at his soul. Should he leave family and a job in local radio broadcasting behind, or begin a journey with Jesus?
He would ultimately choose to begin the journey with His Lord. After visiting Saint Basil Seminary and College, Stamford, CT, he began his studies and formation there with rectors, spiritual directors, as well as both lay and priest professors. There having a gift for languages, he would learn Ukrainian and develop his skill with cantoring in various church languages even more.
In 1987, at the direction of Archbishop Stephen Sulyk, he would enter Saint Josaphat Seminary, Washington, DC, and begin a program of studies in philosophy at the Catholic University of America. While in Washington, he completed his college program by earning a Bachelor of Art degree. The next part of his journey in Washington would be a program of theology at the Oblates of Mary Immaculate College.
A seminarian’s life is not solely his own. Struggling with responsibilities of home and the demands of seminary life and theology studies, he would begin a pause with his journey. As one door closes, for those whom Christ has a challenging plan, other pathways and doors are encountered. For him a new door was opened, and Bishop Basil Losten would direct him to Saint Josaphat Seminary, Rome, Italy. While in seminary and studies at the Angelicum (the Dominican Father’s University) opportunities to serve or sing at papal liturgies with Saint Pope John Paul or Patriarch Husar would happen. Chances to see the other countries of Europe came along. Time would pass and formation and studies would be completed. He would return to the US and on January 17, 1994, be ordained by Bishop Basil as a priest for the Eparchy of Stamford. As a priest, he would serve as an assistant to Monsignor Chomko in Hartford, CT, some work at St. Basil Seminary, and Holy Ghost in Brooklyn.
In 2001, Archbishop Stefan Soroka was installed as the Archeparchy of Philadelphia’s new Metropolitan. Fr. Paul then began some serious consideration about a new part of his journey. He would ponder the possibility of service as a Philadelphia priest. Archbishop Soroka likewise was giving thought to how to best develop some new energy in faith communities.
Thus, Fr. Paul was given the blessing of Bishop Losten to leave the Stamford Eparchy. Transferred to service in Philadelphia, Fr. Paul settled into caring for the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in 2001. He also cared for St. Nicholas Church for 2003. While at the cathedral church, he would add newer sound technology in the church and revamp the bell system.
In 2004, he was transferred to St. Vladimir, Scranton, PA, and also SS. Peter and Paul, Simpson, PA, as of 2010, where he would serve until 2012.
In 2012, Fr. Paul was made pastor of both SS. Peter and Paul Church, Wilkes-Barre, and St. Vladimir, Edwardsville. In 2017, his mother Anna passed away, and he would begin to experience a great decline in his health. His bad health would result in needing to be placed on medical leave in late 2020. His health would continue to deteriorate resulting in his passing into Eternity with his Savior, Jesus, on October 18, 2026.
Fr. Paul Wolensky’s journey of being a priest would last some 32 years. Over those years of service ultimately, as every priest does, he tried to do his best to serve Christ, to care for the Church, and to manifest Jesus to the souls entrusted to his care. All that is left for now is to remember Fr. Paul in prayers, to pray of all of our priests, and to pray, work for, and encourage new good and faithful men to answer the invitation of Jesus to also journey with him and serve as good priests.
His sisters, Joan Wolensky and Margie Seely, survive Fr. Paul.
🕯 Viewing and Parastas
Thursday, October 22, 2026
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Parastas Service at 6:00 PM
John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc.
625 North Main Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705
✝ Funeral
Friday, October 23, 2026
10:00 AM
John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc.
625 North Main Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705
May his memory be eternal!
