Rev. Joseph Roy Hornick

Reverend Joseph R. Hornick, Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Dushore, PA, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 3, 2014.


Father Hornick, son of Mary Ellen Palowez Hornick and the late Joseph G. Hornick was born on March 12, 1945 in Trenton, New Jersey. He received his early education at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic School, Bristol, PA and graduated from Bishop Egan High School, Levittown, PA.


He attended Villanova University, Philadelphia and Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he joined the Army ROTC. After graduating in 1967 with a degree in Political Science he spent two years at John Marshall School of Law in Chicago. He was sent to Alaska, after completing his duty there he was transferred to Fort Meade, Maryland to finish his active duty as a 1st Lieutenant. He was Honorable Discharged in March 1971.


After his discharge he went back to Alaska and became a law clerk at Robinson McCaskey Law Firm in Anchorage. In 1972 he moved to Seattle, Washington where he met his future wife, Mary Ann. After living for a time in Northern England they returned to the United States to raise their three children. He joined the Smith, Barney, Upham Brokerage Firm as a commodity broker, eventually opening his own vending business. This gave him the flexibility to spend time with his children and beloved wife, Mary Ann until her death on December 5th, 1991. After raising their children he made the decision to enter the Seminary in 2001.


He completed his studies for the priesthood at Pope Saint John Paul XXIII National Seminary in Weston, MA and was ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 2005, in Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton, by the Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. Ed. retired Bishop of Scranton.
Father Hornick was assigned as assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church, Blossburg and Holy Child Church, Mansfield; he then served as assistant pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Church, Clarks Summit. He was named administrator of St. Basil Church, Dushore and St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred on May, 15, 2008 and appointed pastor of those churches on July 7, 2009. He led the parishes through the consolidation and became the first pastor of the newly formed parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary.


Father was named Chaplain of Saint Michael’s School in Tunkhannock on November 10, 2006. He also served as an Assistant Vocation Director for the Northern Tier Region of the Diocese. Father Hornick was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.


Whatever Father Hornick did, as a son, student, husband, father, broker, businessman, outdoorsman, priest, he did it with his whole being. He loved God and family who over the years have given him support through their constant love. He helped make the world a more peaceful place; with God’s grace, what he could do he did, hopefully, he made a difference.


In addition to his mother, he is survived by three children, Robert and wife Lisa Kodiak AK, Paul and wife Jennifer Sacramento, CA and Theresa and husband Per San Diego, CA, by his grandchildren, Ryan Hornick and Leora Hornick and brother Dennis and wife Leora Hornick.


He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann Von Boecklin Hornick.


Viewing will take place at St. Basil the Great Church, 101 Churchill Road, Dushore, PA on Sunday, September 7, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Reverend Glen McCreary, Regional Episcopal Vicar, will preside at Solemn Vesper to be celebrated at 7:00 P.M.


A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. Monday, September 8, 2014 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in Holyrood Cemetery, Seattle, Washington.


Parishioners and friends may call at St. Basil’s Church on Sunday, September 7th 2014 from 3:00 P.M. to 6:30 P.M.


Memorial donations can be to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish endowment fund c/o P.O. Box 307, Dushore, PA. 18614.


Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water Street Dushore, PA.


To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com