Very Rev. Joseph H Soltysiak

Father Senior Joseph Henry Soltysiak went home to be with the Lord he served on earth on December 22, 2025 after battling multiple illnesses.

Born September 14, 1958 in Manchester, NH, he was the son of Henry and Emily (Tomaszewski) Soltysiak.  He grew up in the shadow of his grandfather, Bishop Joseph Soltysiak, Bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC). At an early age, his call to serve the Lord at the altar was formed, and after graduation from Manchester West High School in 1976, he moved to Scranton, PA to study at Savonarola Theological Seminary, where he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on May 2, 1979.

He was proud to serve in the National Catholic Church as priest, serving at various parishes across the PNCC, including Assistant Pastor at St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton, PA; as well as in the role of Pastor at Holy Name of Jesus in South Deerfield, MA; Holy Saviour in Union City, CT, and St. Joseph’s in Westfield, MA.  Upon assuming the pastorate of St. Joseph’s in 1994, that same year he was raised to the dignity of Senior Priest, administering the Eastern Diocese Central Seniorate since that time.

Well before he was “Father”, he was Joe, who was always a sports enthusiast.  He played high school and semi-pro baseball, and as a senior in high school, earned All-New England honors in the javelin throw.  Like many in the area, he was an avid fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics, in that order.  A perfect day ended with one of those teams on his tv, and anyone who visited the rectory was aware of “the shrine” to these teams. 

His service to the community was of such importance, as in his various stops, he was a devoted member of the Kiwanis, chaplain to the Westfield Fire Department, the Westfield Clergy Association, and more. He was especially proud to be involved with “Our Community Table”, the Westfield Soup Kitchen, where he would often cook Polish delicacies, making sure that St. Joseph’s provided “the best meal of the month.”

He is missed by his wife of 44 years, Janice (Beggin), formerly of Olyphant, PA; sons Rev. Jason H. Soltysiak (Natalie) of North Royalton, OH, Andrew M. Soltysiak of Westfield, MA, and Nicholas J. Soltysiak of Westfield, MA; brother Stefan of Forestville, CA; grandsons Aiden, Brady, and Jonah, as well as many others who knew and loved him as “Papa”.  

Fr. Sr. Joe was predeceased by his parents Henry and Emily Soltysiak as well as son Anthony in 2020.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clergy Pension Fund of the Polish National Catholic Church or St. Joseph’s Polish National Catholic Church.

Calling Hours take place at Firtion-Adams Funeral Home 76 Broad St. Westfield, MA from 4:30pm-7pm on Sunday, December 28th.  Father Senior Joseph will lie in state from 9am-10am at St. Joseph’s PNCC at 73 Main Street in Westfield, MA on Monday, December 29th.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated by his son, Rev. Jason Soltysiak, at 10am.  Final resting place will be at Holy Trinity Cathedral Cemetery in Manchester, NH. www.firtionadams.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.