Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. John (Jack) S. Plotkowski, Dies
Chicago (Nov. 27, 2024) – Rev. John (Jack) S. Plotkowski, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of St. Zachary Parish in Des Plaines, passed away Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at the age of 76.
Plotkowski was born on July 16, 1948, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Niles College of Loyola in Niles and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
Plotkowski was ordained to the priesthood on May 8, 1974, by Cardinal John Cody, and he celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 12, 1974 at St. Turibius Church in Chicago.
After ordination to the priesthood, Plotkowski was associate pastor at the following parishes: St. Marcelline Parish in Schaumburg, St. Stephen Protomartyr in Des Plaines, Our Lady of Hope Parish in Rosemont and St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove.
From 1982 to 1986, Plotkowski was on the faculty of Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He also served as pastor at St. Simeon Parish in Bellwood and at St. Zachary Parish. He retired in 2018.
Rev. Marcel (Marc) J. Pasciak, retired archdiocesan priest and one of Plotkowski’s classmates, remembered Plotkowski as a very personable, outgoing man who “was well-liked by everybody and very lively.” Pasciak recalled Plotkowski’s strong dedication to the priesthood, how he “took his studies very seriously” and that he was “fulfilled in that he made 50 years as a priest and he was very proud of that.”
All funeral services will take place at St. Zachary Parish, 567 W. Algonquin Road in Des Plaines. Visitation hours will be Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by the funeral Mass celebrated by Rev. Jerome Plotkowski at 12 p.m. Rev. Robert Flack, S.J., will be the homilist. Interment will occur at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Justice.