January 13, 2010

Deacon Polak enjoyed serving

Deacon Leonard Polak, who ministered more than 30 years in the Denver Archdiocese, died Dec. 27. He was 77. 

Born Oct. 23, 1932, in Ulysses, Neb., he moved to Denver at an early age and, with his family, worshiped at St. Catherine of Siena Parish.  On June 13, 1953, he married Corrine Kemme.  He was ordained a deacon in 1976; the third class ordained to the permanent diaconate in the Denver Archdiocese. 

His diaconal parish assignments included St. Catherine of Siena and Holy Family, both in Denver, and St. Joseph in Golden. He also served on the Deacon Council, had a ministry to the Laotian Hmong community, Cursillo, helped at the Gardens at St. Elizabeth, and at the old Stapleton Airport. 

In an Aug. 2, 2006, Denver Catholic Register article, Deacon Polak said what he enjoyed most about being a deacon was “Being of service to people.” He added that he also enjoyed the unexpected ways God would call him to serve. 
“He will be remembered as a person who brought a smile to a person’s heart,” said Deacon Joe Donohoe, archdiocesan director for deacons.

Deacon Polak worked as a credit manager and held jobs in accounting and sales. He had an income tax business for a time and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  His last job was working as a driver for a mortuary company.

He is survived by his wife Corrine and their eight children: Sandra, Paul, Daniel, Edward, Anne, Loretta, Cecilia and Joseph. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.   A funeral Mass was held at St. Catherine’s on Dec. 30.