Fr. Peter F. Witchousky, OP died on May 27, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, shortly after moving there from Springfield, Illinois. Born Francis Leon Witchousky on January 31, 1940 to Helen (Thayer) and Frank Witchousky in Aurora, Illinois, Fr. Peter had an older sister Jo Anne.
He attended St. Peter Grade School in Aurora from 1946-54. This was followed by Marmion Military Academy also in Aurora (1954-58). Following high school, he went to St. Procopius College in Lisle, Illinois (1958-60). In 1961-62 he attended Smith Hall at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, in preparation for entering the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great.
On August 30, 1962, he received the Dominican habit and began his novitiate at St. Peter Martyr Priory in Winona, Minnesota. At this time, he received the religious name of Peter. He made his profession on August 31, 1963, and moved to begin his studies in philosophy at the House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. Three years later, on August 31, 1966, he made his Solemn Profession and proceeded to St. Rose of Lima Priory in Dubuque, Iowa to study theology. Peter was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1969.
Peter’s first assignment was to teach religion at Fenwick High School in River Forest, Illinois. While at Fenwick, he was also the director of Fenwick’s theatre program. He was at Fenwick from 1969-76 at which time he moved to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, Wisconsin where he served as pastor until 1982.
Following a year of sabbatical, Peter spent 1983-84 on the pastoral staff of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, River Forest, Illinois. In 1984 he became Promoter of Vocations for the Province, a position he held until 1991. In 1992 he became chaplain at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield, Illinois. In 2004 he became chaplain to the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Springfield. He held this position until deteriorating health forced him into full retirement.
On May 15, 2023, Peter was moved to the St. Pius V Priory assisted living center in Chicago. He died on May 27, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Jo Anne. He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Buchanan, and his niece, Jorie Carson, and many other extended family members.
There will be a reception of the body at 10:00 a.m., June 6, at St. Pius V Parish, 1909 South Ashland Ave., Chicago, Illinois, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.
