The death of Monsignor Alan J. Borsuk, 69, on Saturday
left a void within St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church.
By:Alec Moore
"He was a wonderful priest and a good friend," said the Rev. Vladimir Zablotski, who served as assistant to Father Borsuk for the past two years at the church, which is now without a permanent pastor.
Father Zablotski said Father Borsuk’s death came as a shock to virtually everyone at St. Mary’s and his passing has touched the congregants of St. Mary’s deeply.
"People liked him very much," Father Zablotski said, "but no one expected him to die so soon," he added, pointing out that he has received many phone calls from the church’s congregation offering condolences and also seeking a degree of solace.
St. Mary’s church itself stands as a tribute to Father Borsuk, who designed and oversaw the construction of the church in 1996.
Father Borsuk, appointed pastor of St. Mary’s in 1993, was devoted to helping his congregants, Father Vladimir pointed out, citing an instance in which Father Borsuk put the welfare of one of his parishioners far ahead of his own.
After a woman lost her house in the devastating floods that followed in the wake of Hurricane Floyd, Father Borsuk used money out of his own pocket to put the woman up in a hotel until social service workers were able to find her a temporary residence.
According to Father Zablotski, the question of who will be appointed as the next pastor at the church lies in the hands of the bishop, who has yet to make that decision.
"If he tells me to stay, then I’ll stay, if he tells me to leave, then I’ll leave," Father Zablotski said, expressing that he will fully support whatever decision the bishop reaches, but adding that he would enjoy the opportunity to remain at St. Mary’s.
A second viewing for Father Borsuk will be held today, Thursday, from 5:30 9 p.m. at St. Mary’s church, located at 1900 Brooks Boulevard. Donations made be made to St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, Building Fund, 1900 Brooks Boulevard, Hillsborough, New Jersey, 08844.
All arrangements are under the direction of Ketusky Funeral Home at 1310 Brooks Boulevard, Manville.
No official cause of Father Borsuk’s death has been issued at this time.