Rev. Andrew M. Augustyn, 90, of Grand Island died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, at St. Francis Medical Center. Andrew was born July 13, 1920, in rural Loup City to John and Mary (Gzehoviak) Augustyn.

Andrew is survived by a host of friends and relatives.

Andrew grew up in the Loup City area he attended school in Tarnov for one year. He later attended St. Josaphat's Grade School and Loup City High School graduating in 1938. He attended Creighton University from 1939 - 1940. He entered St. John Seminary in Little Rock, Ark., completing his B.A. Degree in Philosophy. He continued his Theology study at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1947, by Bishop Edward J. Hunkeler in Grand Island. On June 27, 1947, he was assigned temporary Chaplain at St. Mary Hospital, North Platte and Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick in North Platte. He was Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick in Chadron and St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island. On June 1, 1952, he became Pastor of St. Libory in St. Libory. During his pastorate at St. Libory, he supervised the building of the church and the parish rectory. He was a member of the Diocesan Building Commission and the Priests' Pension Board. On Nov. 29, 1974, he was appointed Bishop's Vicar for Health Affairs and Chaplain for St. Francis Hospital, the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island. He was appointed chaplain of the Veterans Administration Hospital in February of 1977. Fr. Augustyn retired on July 1, 1985.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed sports of all kinds especially Husker football, Green Bay Packer football and the fighting Irish of Norte Dame.

Published in The Grand Island Independent on 11/24/2010