Reverend Louis M. Dytkowski, 82, died October 22 at St Vincent's Hospital, after a long illness. He was born August 25, 1934, the son of the late Julia and Frank Dytkowski. He was also a retired priest, having served at St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, and was a chaplain, LTC, in the US Army.

Fr Dytkowski was raised in the Hazelton/McAdoo area of Pennsylvania. He attended college and seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., and was ordained a Catholic Priest for the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1960.

He was a curate at St Catherine of Sienna Parish in Riverside and Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Stamford before joining the Army as a chaplain in 1967. After basic training, he served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. Other overseas assignments included Korea, Okinawa, AFCENT in the Netherlands, and a community chaplain in Germany. Stateside assignments were Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Sheridan, Illinois; The Tank Automotive Command, Warren, Mich.; and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Medals and awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and several presidential Unit Citations. He retired from the Army in 1992.

Fr Dytkowski returned to the Diocese of Bridgeport serving at St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown; Holy Cross Church, Fairfield; St James Church, Stratford; and then as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Sherman, before retiring to Florida in 2008. He helped out at Blessed Sacrament Church in Clermont, Fla., and also ministered at the prison and in nursing homes. Summers would be spent in Connecticut where he resided at St James Rectory.

His favorite pastimes were spending time with his treasured family and friends. He also loved music, playing the piano and accordion, singing, and a good round of golf and gin rummy.

His sisters, Frances Sudusky of Milford and Patricia Gerety, and husband, Gene, of Seymour; his best friend of 22 years, Suzanne Lehmann; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with countless close friends who were like his family over the years survive him.

His loved ones send a special "Thank You" to Father Tom Lynch of St James Church for his wonderful friendship, hospitality, and care - especially over the last six months - and also to Father Rogerio Perri.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 26, from 4 to 8 pm at the Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford.

Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Thursday, October 27, at 9:30 am at the funeral home and at 10:30 am at St. James Church, 2070 Main Street, Stratford, with a Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Reverend Monsignor Thomas Powers, and Vicar General of the Diocese of Bridgeport, officiating.

Interment will follow at St Michael Cemetery, Stratford.

To leave an online condolence, visit pisteyfuneralhome.com.